Lexi Thompson to play in PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Open

Lexi Thompson is set to become the seventh woman ever to tee it up against the men on the PGA Tour.

Thompson, 28, accepted a sponsor invitation to play in the Shriners Children’s Open, which begins Oct. 12 in Las Vegas.

“I’m hopeful that my ability to play with the men next week at the Shriners Children’s Open sends a great message to the young women that you can chase your dream regardless of how hard it is,” Thompson said in a statement Wednesday announcing her entry. “I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids.”

Thompson is no stranger to making history. At age 12 in 2007, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. She also became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament when she took the Navistar LPGA Classic at age 16…