The Grant Thornton Invitational brings the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players together in a co-sanctioned mixed-team event for the first time in this millennium. This event features plenty of star power, with top-ranked players from both tours competing for a impressive $4 million prize money payout, which surpasses most non-LPGA major tournaments on the 2023 schedule. The tournament format is based on the now-defunct QBE Shootout, with 16 pairs playing a variety of formats over three rounds at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
One team to watch is Lexi Thompson and Joel Dahmen, with Thompson being the only LPGA player with past experience in mixed events. Thompson, a multiple LPGA winner, is coming off a strong end to the season, regaining her form with several top-10 finishes. On the other hand, Dahmen, currently ranked 166th in the OWGR, had a challenging season but showed promise with top-15 finishes towards the end. They will be an exciting duo to watch as they navigate the unique format of the event.
Another exciting pair is the Swedish duo of Ludvig Aberg and Madelene Sagstrom, who were members of their respective winning Solheim and Ryder Cup teams in previous years. Aberg has been on a hot streak recently, with a PGA Tour victory and top finishes in recent tournaments. Sagstrom also has a good track record at the venue, making them a formidable team to watch in the competition.
Amateur players Sahith Theegala and Rose Zhang are another duo to keep an eye on, as they both secured their first tour victories recently. Theegala, who won at the Fortinet Championship, and Zhang, who won the Mizuho Americas Open, have shown great potential and will be interesting to watch as they compete against seasoned professionals in the event. The Grant Thornton Ambassador pairing of Nelly Korda and Tony Finau also brings a wealth of experience to the event, with both players having competed in the QBE Shootout in the past and performing well.
The tournament features a lineup of exciting pairings, with well-known players from both tours teaming up to compete in this unique event. The tournament schedule includes three days of action, with coverage being provided by Golf Channel and NBC throughout the weekend. Fans can watch the tournament live and see how these teams fare in the competitive field. Overall, the Grant Thornton Invitational promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent from both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, as players come together to compete for the title in this long-awaited mixed-team event.
