Lexi Thompson hoping to inspire in first PGA Tour appearance

Lexi Thompson maintains she will not feel any added pressure at the Shriners Children's Open despite being under the spotlight in Las Vegas.

Thompson, an 11-time LPGA Tour winner and major champion, received a sponsor invitation to play at TPC Summerlin today, where she will become only the seventh female golfer to tee off on the PGA Tour.

But the 28-year-old insists she will just stay focused on her own game as she looks to become the first woman to make the cut at a PGA Tour event since Babe Didrikson Zaharias in 1945.

"I wouldn’t say it adds pressure," Thompson said. "Playing golf and being a woman golfer, a top woman golfer, I just want to inspire people in general.

"(In a) male-dominated sport, I guess I just want to show that anything is possible and that I am following my dreams.

"I have done it since I was five years old, (been in the) spotlight since I was 12. You just have to block out everything and believe in yourself and go after what you want.

"(Play with) no added pressure. That’s what I want. I want to have women support me and me support them. That’s what it is all about."

"I knew some (negative) comments were going to happen (about being invited to play).

"Like I said, I’m out here playing of course with the men, but I want to leave a message just to the kids that I am following my dreams and to go after what you want with a positive mindset and don’t let anybody’s comments or reaction get in the way of that."

Thomspon will be playing alongside Kevin Roy and Trevor Werbylo during her opening rounds.

On the prospect of breaking another barrier by going on to make the cut, Thompson said: "(It would be) definitely at the top of my accomplishments.

"It’s been an honour just to get this invite, but one step, one shot