Lexi Thompson to play in TOUR's Shriners Children's Open

Lexi Thompson accepted a sponsor invitation to play in October's Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas, making her the seventh woman to ever compete against men on the PGA TOUR.

"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, per ESPN's Michael Collins.

"I'm grateful to Shriners Children's for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids."

Brittany Lincicome is the last woman to play in a TOUR event, teeing it up at the 2018 Barbasol Championship. Michelle Wie West (eight PGA tournaments), Suzy Whaley, Annika Sorenstam, Shirley Spork, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias are the others on the list.

Thompson has been one of the most popular female golfers in the world since competing at the U.S. Women's Open at age 12. She turned pro in 2010 and became the youngest winner of an LPGA event the following year at 16.

Now 28, Thompson has 11 LPGA victories, including a major title at the 2014 Chevron Championship.

The Shriners Children's Open begins Oct. 12 at TPC Summerlin.