Lexi Thompson ready for the bright lights of Vegas and big stage of PGA Tour

In the midst of one of her roughest years, Lexi Thompson faces her biggest challenge.

Thompson was coming off her first top-10 finish of the year two weeks ago when she said her management company told her the Shriners Children's Open had offered her a sponsor exemption to play on the PGA Tour.

“It was basically an automatic ‘yes,’” Thompson said Tuesday at the TPC Summerlin after playing a practice round with Michael Kim and Ben Griffin. “I'm just very honored that they want me here to compete this week, and hopefully send out an inspiring message.”

Thompson, 28, will be the seventh woman to play on the PGA Tour, and the first since Brittany Lincicome in the 2018 Barbasol Championship.