When Lexi Thompson tees off Thursday in Las Vegas at the Shriners Children's Open, the LPGA Tour star will become the seventh woman to compete in a PGA Tour event.'
Jeff Sherman, SuperBook Sports' vice president of risk and a golf oddsmaker, remembers Annika Sorenstam's start at the 2003 Colonial well. Her effort to compete with the men drew major media attention and attracted sports betting interest in Las Vegas two decades ago. Thompson's upcoming start reminds Sherman of that, and he leaned on that experience as SuperBook set odds for Thompson's 2023 effort.'
Sherman anticipates Thompson will play fairly conservatively as she adjusts to the unique circumstance and likely media and fan attention. He wouldn't be surprised to see Thompson playing for pars, rather than taking risks that could bring double or triple bogies into play.'
“We've seen through these experiences — I really remember Annika doing this at the Colonial — that they're gonna go out there and play conservative on this course,” Sherman said.'