2023 PGA Shriners Children’s Open: Lexi Thompson Beats The Odds In Las Vegas

The PGA Tour was in Las Vegas last week, and I covered the event and odds in my 2023 PGA Shriners Children’s Open coverage in Forbes. I chipped-in more in Forbes with a feature on Lexi Thompson.

I was unable to dig into the stats and provide Fairway’s Forecast with picks and longshots in my Shriners PGA Tour coverage posted here at Vegas Sports Zone. I had a very full week attending and covering the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

However, I still managed to cash in on a little prop bet with Eric Cole (+165) to finish Top 20. The likely 2023 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year shot a blistering -9 under par 62 on Sunday to rise up the leaderboard and finish tied for 3rd at -18 under par. South Korean 21-year-old and tournament betting favorite Tom Kim (-20) won the Shriners Open tournament for the second-straight year.

Lexi Thompson a big hit @ShrinersOpen . Caught up with her after Round 2. Lexi style & grace off the course too w/kids, fans pics & signing including 'I Am HERe'.

"Hospitality & fans were amazing. It was unbelievable. Couldn't have asked for anything better, & weather too " pic.twitter.com/0za69WwH4J

— Fairway Jay (@FairwayJay) October 14, 2023

I also made a small bet on Thompson to shoot ‘under’ 76.5 in her opening round. That prop bet was offered by select sportsbooks, and Lexi shot 73 on Thursday and then followed with a 69 Friday. She missed the cut, but Lexi Thompson’s impact on the event, fans and children was a real inspiration, and I got to see it up close and in person Friday. I attend the Shriners PGA event annually, and getting to see and follow Thompson’s impact was a real treat.

“Hospitality & fans were amazing,” Thompson said. It was unbelievable. Couldn’t have asked for anything better, and weather too.”

“Lexi has been incredible with the kids,” Kirvin Doak PR Senior Vice President Terri Maruca told me following Friday’s round.

PGA @ShrinersOpen in LasVegas was another success. Tom Kim wins, but #LexiThompson was biggest hit & inspiration for fans & kids. I saw it in person, & update in @ForbesLife via @ForbesSports with chip-ins from @KDCLasVegas @shrinershosp @Patrick_VegasTD https://t.co/yw71gdKBrg

— Fairway Jay (@FairwayJay) October 18, 2023

Thompson was extended a sponsors invitation by Shriners tournament Executive Director Patrick Lindsey, who hoped Thompson’s presence would bring more exposure to the tournament and cause.

The decision to include Thompson in the 2023 PGA Shriners Children’s Open field was an all around success and paid off in spades. The PGA Tour reported that ESPN’s featured groups coverage saw a 19% increase over 2022 with Lexi Thompson competing. Her impact with fans and children is unmeasurable.

You can bet on it.