Grant Thornton Invitational 2024 preview: Field, betting odds, tee times, and how to watch
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The PGA Tour rounds off action in 2024 at the Grant Thornton Invitational. Here’s everything you need to know.
Free from the pressures of securing FedExCup points, the Grant Thornton Invitational field can enjoy a more relaxed week of competitive action before breaking for some downtime over Christmas.
The unique mixed-team event debuted in 2023, with players from the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour teaming up in the most inclusive event in golf. The tournament replaced the QBE Shootout, becoming the first mixed-team event since the JCPenny Classic, which was last held in 1999.
The DP World Tour introduced a mixed event in 2021, as the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed debuted. This event was co-sanctioned by the DPWT and the LET. History was made as Linn Grant became the first female winner in the history of the European tour. Unfortunately, this event has been canceled after just four editions, but the Grant Thornton Invitational looks like it will only go from strength to strength.
“As we look to capitalize on the growing interest in the game of golf, the addition of a mixed event to the calendar has been a priority and we greatly appreciate title sponsor Grant Thornton for their support in delivering an event that will make our sport more appealing and welcoming to all,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan ahead of the inaugural edition.
Jason Day and Lydia Ko formed a dynamic partnership in 2023 as they won the tournament with a score of 26-under, claiming a one-shot victory over Corey Connors and Brooke Henderson.
Where is the Grant Thornton Invitational held?
The tournament will take place at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, which was the venue for the LPGA’s season-closing CME Group Tour Championship. The Golf Club features two 18-hole courses, both designed by Greg Norman – the Gold and the Black.
Players will tee it up on the Gold Course this week. With five sets of tees, the yardage for the men will be 7,382 yards, while the women’s yardage for the tournament is 6,595 yards.
The Gold Course is a par-72 that mixes a blend of modern and traditional elements to create the ultimate challenge for the field. The LPGA players who have recently played in the CME Group Tour Championship certainly have a headstart this week.
Who is in the field for the Grant Thornton Invitational?
Players | Nationality |
Akshay Bhatia/Jennifer Kupcho | American |
Cameron Champ/Mel Reid | American/English |
Corey Conners/Brooke Henderson | Canadian |
Jason Day/Lydia Ko | Australian/New Zealand |
Nick Dunlap/Gabi Ruffels | American/Australia |
Tony Finau/Nelly Korda | American |
Rickie Fowler/Lexi Thompson | American |
Billy Horschel/Andrea Lee | American |
Tom Kim/Jeeno Thitikul | South Korean/Thai |
Jake Knapp/Patty Tavatanakit | American/Thai |
Matt Kuchar/Megan Khang | American |
Luke List/Lilia Vu | American |
Matthieu Pavon/Celine Boutier | French |
J.T. Poston/Maja Stark | American/Swedish |
Sahith Theegala/ Rose Zhang | American |
Cameron Young/Lauren Coughlin | American |
What is the format of the Grant Thornton Invitational?
The tournament will take place over three rounds consisting of one round of Scramble, one round of Foursomes (alternate shot), and one round of modified Fourballs.
Round 1 – Scramble
Each player hits their tee shot and then the team decides which ball to be used for the next shot. Both players hit their shots from that spot and this continues until the ball is holed.
Round 2 – Foursomes
Each player on a team alternates hitting shots with the same ball until the hole is complete, and the ball is holed. At the start of the round, one player is nominated to tee off on odd-numbered holes, while the other player tees off from the even-numbered holes.
Round 3 – Modified Fourballs
The final round features a new format for team play. Both players will tee off, and then they will switch balls for their second shots and play that ball until the hole is complete.
The lower score of the pair will count as the overall team score.
How much will the winner of the Grant Thornton Invitational receive?
The prize fund on offer at the Grant Thornton Invitational is $4m. The winners of the competition will take home a cheque worth $1m, which will be split evenly.
2023 Grant Thornton Invitational Leaderboard
Position | Players | Score to par |
1 | Ko/Day | -26 |
2 | Henderson/Conners | -25 |
3 | Sagstrom/Aberg | -24 |
T4 | Khang/McCarthy | -23 |
T4 | Korda/Finau | -23 |
T6 | Maguire/Glover | -22 |
T6 | Thompson/Fowler | -22 |
8 | Yin/Taylor | -21 |
T9 | Zhang/Theegala | -20 |
T9 | Vu/Dahmen | -20 |
T9 | Hull/Rose | -20 |
12 | Boutier/English | -19 |
13 | Reid/Henley | -16 |
T14 | Corpuz/Champ | -14 |
T14 | Lee/Horschel | -14 |
16 | Knight/Hoge | -13 |
How to watch the Grant Thornton Invitational
Viewers in the UK can watch the Grant Thornton Invitational on Sky Sports Golf.
All times BST
Thursday, 12 December: Sky Sports Golf, 18.00
Friday, 13 December: Sky Sports Golf, 18.00
Saturday, 14 December: Sky Sports Golf, 20.30
Sunday, 15 December: Sky Sports Golf, 18.00
Viewers in the US can watch all four days via the Golf Channel.
All times EDT
Thursday, 12 December: Golf Channel, 13.00
Friday, 13 December: Golf Channel, 13.00
Saturday, 14 December: Golf Channel,14.00
Sunday, 15 December: Golf Channel, 13.00
Grant Thornton Invitational: Tee times and groupings
Round 1 (Scramble)
Time | Players |
---|---|
9:00 AM EST | Reid / Champ | Stark / Poston |
9:15 AM EST | Kupcho / Bhatia | Boutier / Pavon |
9:30 AM EST | Coughlin / Young | Khang / Kuchar |
9:45 AM EST | Lee / Greyserman | Ruffels / Dunlap |
10:00 AM EST | Tavatanakit / Knapp | Vu / List |
10:15 AM EST | Thitikul / Kim | Henderson / Conners |
10:30 AM EST | Corpuz / Theegala | Thompson / Fowler |
10:45 AM EST | Korda / Berger | Ko / Day |
About the Author
Ross Kilvington – Contributing Golf News Writer
Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who currently writes previews for Today’s Golfer, covering events on the DP World, PGA, and LPGA tours along with the LIV Golf Series.
Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of 6 means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little longer.
Despite first picking up a club aged 11, highlights are few and far between on the golf course.
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