published: Dec 12, 2024

Grant Thornton Invitational preview: Who is playing in this mixed event?

The Grant Thornton Invitational is a welcome addition to the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour schedules with its unique format

The Grant Thornton Invitational is a welcome addition to the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour schedules – their first co-sanctioned event since the JCPenney Classic in 1999.

The JCPenney Classic began as the Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome in 1960 and underwent several makeovers. This mixed event was taken off the PGA Tour schedule in 1968 but was reintroduced in 1976 as the Pepsi-Cola Mixed Team Championship and won by Chi-Chi Rodriguez and Jo Ann Washam.

The event at Tiburon Golf Club features 16 pairs of men’s and women’s stars in a unique three-round competition that perhaps represents something every golf fan loves to see, yet sees little of.

In 1999, John Daly and Dame Laura Davies won the last edition of the JCPenney Classic before it disappeared from the schedule for good. The Grant Thornton Invitational is a great opportunity to watch a combination of the best male and female players.

Tiburon in Naples, Florida also hosts the CME Group Tour Championship which is the season-ending event on the LPGA Tour.

Lydia Ko and Jason Day won the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational in 2023, beating the Canadian pair of Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners by one shot on 26-under-par.

The Swedish pair of Ludvig Aberg and Madelene Sagstrom shot a 60 together in the final round to rally towards the top of the leaderboard too, but Ko and Day made four birdies in the last nine holes of the tournament to seal the deal.

Some of the same pairs from 2023 are returning in 2024, including the defending champions Day and Ko. Ko has had a superb season in 2024, winning three times including her third major title at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.

Jeeno Thitikul, the winner of the CME Group Tour Championship at this venue, is playing in the field with Tom Kim and World No.1 Nelly Korda was meant to link up with Tony Finau but he withdrew citing recovery from knee surgery. Daniel Berger has taken his place.

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ALSO: LPGA Tour 2024 results

Below is a summary of the event, plus each pair competing:

Grant Thornton Invitational preview

Format: Round 1 is a Scramble where both players hit each shot and play from the best one. Round 2 is foursomes, so each player hits the same ball and alternates. Round 3 is modified fourball.

Course: Tiburon Golf Club

Tees: Men – Par 72, 7,382 yards. Women – Par 72, 6,788 yards

Dates: December 13-15

Purse: $4 million

Teams:

Lydia Ko and Jason Day

Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners

Nelly Korda and Daniel Berger

Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler

Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia

Celine Boutier and Matthieu Pavon

Mel Reid and Cameron Champ

Andrea Lee and Max Greyserman

Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim

Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp

Megan Khang and Matt Kuchar

Lilia Vu and Luke List

Maja Stark and J.T. Poston

Allisen Corpuz and Sahith Theegala

Lauren Coughlin and Cameron Young

Gabriela Ruffels and Nick Dunlap

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NOW READ: PGA Tour 2024 results

NOW READ: PGA Tour Champions results 2024

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About the author

Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

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