Suzy Whaley weighs in on Lexi Thompson playing on the PGA Tour

It’s been 20 years since Suzy Whaley teed it up on the PGA Tour in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open. Now a groundbreaking past president of the PGA of America, Whaley became the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event since the great Babe Zaharias in 1945.

Whaley, of course, earned her spot by winning the 2002 Connecticut PGA Championship.

Last week it was announced that Lexi Thompson had accepted a sponsor invitation to the Shiners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, which will make her the seventh woman to compete in a PGA Tour event.

The field and the scene next week in Vegas will be much different for Thompson than it was for Whaley, who laughed out loud when David Duval introduced himself on the putting green. (“I know who you are!”) Whaley actually credits much of her success that week to a chip shot Peter Jacobsen taught her during a practice round.

Most of the heavy hitters on the PGA Tour have shut it down this fall, and Thompson has only a week of lead-up to prepare and navigate the naysayers.

Whaley dealt with the buildup – good and bad – for months. She ultimately shot 75-78 to miss the cut by 13 strokes. Only one player – Zaharias – has ever made the cut in a PGA Tour event.

Golfweek recently caught up with Whaley to reminisce on her time playing against the men and talk about the challenges Lexi might face.

Whaley firmly believes that women taking opportunities outside their comfort zones is what must be done to create progress.

“Yesterday the world was talking about women’s golf more in one day than I heard for nine months to the Solheim Cup,” said Whaley.

“I can’t wait for the day when women get that kind of attention and don’t have to play against the men to get it.”

GW: What was your reaction to the Lexi Thompson exemption?

Lexi Thompson of Team USA warms up during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023, in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

SW: I was up scrolling, as most of us do when we first wake up, or at least as I do, and I saw it right away and I sent it off to my husband my kids, and I was like, ‘Wow!’ … Good for her for saying yes.

GW: When you say yes to something like this, as you know it comes with a lot of scrutiny, a lot of opinions. What’s your advice for Lexi navigating criticism that she might see on twitter?

ST. LOUIS – JULY 24: Suzy Whaley tees off on the…