Major winner pulls out of Las Vegas LPGA event at Shadow Creek

One of the biggest names in women’s golf withdrew from this week’s T-Mobile Match Play at Shadow Creek.

Lexi Thompson, an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour and arguably the most popular player among fans, pulled out Sunday following her tie for third at the Ford Championship outside Phoenix.

Bailey Tardy, who won for the first time in her career last month at the Blue Bay LPGA in China, also withdrew Sunday.

Thompson said in an Instagram post she was taking the next two weeks off “to rest up my hand and continue to strive for improvement.” She has had wrist issues in recent years.

Three players were added to the Las Vegas field: Haeji Kang, Gina Kim and former world No. 1 and current Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis. Kang was given the spot left open for the winner for the Ford Championship. Nelly Korda won that event and was already in the T-Mobile Match Play field. Kim and Lewis were promoted from the alternate list after the withdrawals of Thompson and Tardy.

The tournament begins Wednesday for 96 players at Shadow Creek with three days of stroke play. A cut to the top 65 will be made after Thursday’s round and the top eight will move on to match play following Friday’s round. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held Saturday and the championship match will take place Sunday.

Greg Robertson covers golf for the Review-Journal. Reach him at grobertson@reviewjournal.com.