The Grant Thornton Invitational is set to bring the worlds of the LPGA and PGA Tours together for a second year, offering an exciting mixed-team format that showcases top talents from both tours. Scheduled from December 13 to 15, 2024, at the stunning Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida, this event will spotlight 16 elite teams of LPGA and PGA TOUR professionals in a thrilling, co-sanctioned competition.
What Makes the Grant Thornton Invitational Unique?
The Grant Thornton Invitational isn’t just another tournament; it’s a distinctive event that combines male and female golfers in mixed teams. This format is rare in professional golf, providing fans with a unique viewing experience that fosters a sense of camaraderie across genders. For these 16 teams, there’s a lot at stake, with an equal prize purse of $4 million and an opportunity to bring home the trophy in a match that features dynamic play styles and strategic teamwork.
The Tournament Format: A Three-Day, Three-Format Challenge
The Grant Thornton Invitational brings a fresh twist to traditional tournament play by featuring three distinct formats over three days. This approach keeps the competition dynamic, testing the adaptability, teamwork, and strategic thinking of each mixed pair of LPGA and PGA Tour players. Here’s a breakdown of each format and what makes them uniquely challenging:
- Scramble Format on Friday – Friday’s opening round will use the Scramble format, where both team members hit each shot, then select the better result of the two and both play their next shot from that spot. This process continues for each shot until the ball is holed. This format promotes aggressive play and allows both teammates to take chances, knowing they can rely on the stronger shot. It also emphasizes teamwork as players strategize to capitalize on each other’s strengths.
- Foursomes Format on Saturday – The second day features the Foursomes format, also known as “alternate shot,” which is notoriously challenging. Each team member alternates hitting the same ball, requiring exceptional coordination and communication to keep momentum going. Strategy is key here, as players need to plan for each other’s strengths and weaknesses with every stroke. Foursomes can be mentally taxing, testing the chemistry and trust between players as they rely on their partner for every other shot.
- Modified Four-Ball Format on Sunday – The final day shifts to a Modified Four-Ball format, where both players play their ball throughout the hole, but only the best score of the two is counted for the team’s score on that hole. This format rewards individual performance while allowing for some margin of error, as one teammate can be more aggressive, while the other plays a safer approach. Modified Four-Ball adds an exciting conclusion to the tournament, often leading to lower scores and thrilling finishes as players push to post their best individual scores under tournament pressure.
Each day’s format challenges players to adjust their strategies, communicate effectively, and leverage the strengths of both teammates. These diverse formats bring out the best in team play and highlight the skills that make both LPGA and PGA Tour players world-class athletes. Fans can catch all three rounds of action live on Golf Channel and NBC, with broadcast times ensuring every moment of the tournament’s intense competition is available to viewers.
Spotlight on Tiburón Golf Club: A Course with Character
The Grant Thornton Invitational returns to the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, a course renowned for its demanding layout and breathtaking views. Designed by golfing great Greg Norman, Tiburón is much more than a beautiful setting—it’s a technical masterpiece that has tested and humbled some of the world’s best players. Known for its fast greens, challenging bunkers, and numerous water hazards, Tiburón requires precise shot-making and a sharp strategic approach, making it an ideal venue for this high-stakes, mixed-team tournament.
Course Design and Unique Features
Tiburón Golf Club offers two courses—the Gold and the Black—but the Grant Thornton Invitational is held on the Gold Course. Norman’s design aims to blend the natural beauty of the Florida landscape with a layout that tests every aspect of a golfer’s skill. Rolling fairways with intricate undulations add complexity to the players’ approach shots, and with no rough, wayward shots often find themselves in deep, unforgiving waste areas or guarded by tall grasses.
The course’s wide fairways may appear inviting, but they subtly narrow toward the green, demanding precision on every tee shot. Norman also incorporated vast bunkering throughout the course, with expansive waste bunkers and greenside traps that catch even the smallest errors. The bunkers are uniquely shallow, allowing for more run-up shots but creating the challenge of judging how the ball will roll on approach.
Challenging Holes and Strategic Elements
Some of Tiburón’s most challenging holes add to its reputation as a course that separates top-tier players:
- Hole 3 (Par 4, 430 yards): This par-4 hole offers a slight dogleg and is flanked by water on the left side, making positioning off the tee critical. The green is guarded by a front bunker and slopes from back to front, demanding precise control on approach shots. The windy conditions often present on this hole add to its difficulty, challenging players to manage ball flight and land softly on fast, firm greens.
- Hole 6 (Par 5, 590 yards): At nearly 600 yards, this par 5 is not only long but features water hazards on both sides of the fairway. Players must avoid these hazards on their tee shots while also being wary of strategically placed bunkers further down the fairway. For those daring enough to attempt reaching the green in two, they’ll face a narrow landing area with significant undulation, making distance control paramount.
- Hole 13 (Par 3, 215 yards): Known as one of the most intimidating par-3s on the course, Hole 13 is long and requires a carryover water. The green is narrow and slopes back to front, often requiring a high, soft landing shot to stick close to the pin. Missing left or right can lead to challenging bunker shots, making par an excellent score on this hole.
- Hole 18 (Par 4, 485 yards): Tiburón’s finishing hole is a daunting par 4, challenging players to finish strong. With water running down the left side and a bunker complex on the right, tee shots require pinpoint accuracy. The green is one of the most contoured on the course, sloping from left to right and front to back, making putts particularly tricky. A par here can feel like a victory, as the combination of length, water, and challenging green puts pressure on even the most seasoned players.
Speed and Sensitivity of the Greens
The greens at Tiburón are famously fast, especially under the sunny and dry conditions of Naples. Players accustomed to typical tournament greens will need to adapt to Tiburón’s unique texture and speed, where even minor miscalculations can lead to three-putts. Greg Norman designed the greens with subtle slopes and breaks that can be difficult to read, adding to the mental challenge. On approach shots, players often have to land the ball short of the hole and let it release toward the pin, as holding shots too close can lead to missed birdie opportunities or longer par attempts.
The greens at Tiburón typically run around 12-13 on the Stimpmeter, making them some of the fastest in Florida. With the grain of Bermuda grass influencing speed and break, Tiburón’s greens become a test of patience and precision, especially as players advance into the back nine and the pressure of competition heightens.
A Test of Wind Management
Tiburón’s location near the Gulf of Mexico introduces an additional layer of challenge: wind. Gusts from the coast can make club selection difficult, especially on exposed holes. Players will need to be adept at managing ball flight and adapting their strategies to handle shifting wind patterns, which can turn straightforward shots into daunting tests of control.
The Perfect Venue for a Mixed-Team Challenge
The intricate layout and technical demands of Tiburón Golf Club make it the perfect stage for the Grant Thornton Invitational’s mixed-team format. With a variety of hazards, fast greens, and strategic challenges, Tiburón rewards teams that work well together, communicate effectively and adapt quickly to the course’s complexities. From the fairway undulations to the precision required on the greens, Tiburón offers a true test of skill that brings out the best in both LPGA and PGA professionals, ensuring an exciting and unpredictable tournament for players and fans alike.
Teams to Watch: An All-Star Lineup
This year’s lineup of teams includes some familiar pairings and some exciting new duos. Each team comprises an LPGA and a PGA TOUR player, many of whom bring recent wins, Olympic experience, and team play knowledge from events like the Solheim and Presidents Cups. Here are a few standout pairings:
- Lydia Ko and Jason Day – are both seasoned players with a wealth of experience, and last year’s defending champions.
- Nelly Korda and Tony Finau – Korda, with her consistency, and Finau, known for his power, make a formidable team.
- Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners – The Canadian duo nearly took the title last year and will be looking to finish one place higher this time.
- Rose Zhang and Sahith Theegala – Both rising stars on their respective tours, Zhang and Theegala add youth and enthusiasm to the field.
With a combined 149 career wins, these players bring both experience and fresh energy to the tournament, and their diverse backgrounds promise an exciting showcase of international talent.
What’s at Stake?
For many players, the Grant Thornton Invitational isn’t just a year-end exhibition—it’s an opportunity to prove their mettle. For some, like Lydia Ko and Jason Day, it’s a chance to defend their title. For others, it’s an opportunity to close the year on a high note, especially if their 2024 seasons were lackluster or filled with ups and downs.
The event also offers equal visibility for both men’s and women’s golf, a groundbreaking feature that promotes gender equality in sports. The $4 million purse is divided equally, a testament to Grant Thornton’s commitment to leveling the playing field for female and male golfers alike.
Past Winners and Highlights
In its inaugural year, the Grant Thornton Invitational saw Lydia Ko and Jason Day emerge as champions, setting a high standard for what the tournament could deliver. Ko’s short game precision, combined with Day’s accuracy off the tee, proved to be the winning formula on the challenging Tiburón layout. Their victory showed the effectiveness of pairing complementary skills, and they’ll be back this year to defend their title against an even stronger field.
Expected Weather Conditions
Naples in December offers mild temperatures but can bring variable weather, including wind and sporadic showers. Players may have to adjust their strategies to accommodate these conditions, particularly in the scramble and modified four-ball formats, where course management is key. For teams like Henderson and Conners, used to colder Canadian climates, the Florida warmth should be a welcome change.
Nearby Attractions and Lodging Options
Naples, Florida, is known for its luxurious accommodations and beautiful beaches. For fans planning to attend the Grant Thornton Invitational, here are some popular lodging and local attractions:
- The Ritz-Carlton Naples – As the host resort, it offers upscale amenities and is conveniently located near the course.
- Naples Grande Beach Resort – A family-friendly hotel with beach access, perfect for those combining a golf trip with a beach vacation.
- LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort – An intimate beachfront resort known for its luxury and scenic views, ideal for a relaxing stay.
Visitors can also explore Naples Pier for stunning sunset views, or take a tour of the Naples Botanical Garden. Golf fans may also enjoy nearby courses for a round, including TPC Treviso Bay or Quail Creek Country Club. After the day’s competition, there’s plenty to do in Naples to make the trip unforgettable.
Concert and Entertainment: Live Fest
A unique feature of the Grant Thornton Invitational is its Saturday evening concert, Live Fest, held on the Tiburón Driving Range. The 2024 lineup includes popular artists like Lauren Alaina, Goo Goo Dolls, and Old Dominion, promising a night of music and fun. This event brings an exciting twist to the tournament, allowing fans to unwind and enjoy live entertainment after the day’s competition.
Why You Don’t Want to Miss It
The Grant Thornton Invitational is quickly becoming a fan-favorite on the PGA and LPGA tours due to its unique format, high stakes, and inclusive approach. With mixed-gender teams and equal prize money, it represents a significant step toward equity in professional golf. The tournament’s blend of competitive play and entertainment makes it an ideal year-end event for golf enthusiasts and a perfect outing for families.
Fans can look forward to three days of exceptional golf, thrilling team dynamics, and the opportunity to watch some of their favorite players in an environment that combines friendly rivalry with competitive spirit.
