PGA Tour, LPGA unveils 16 groups for Grant Thornton Invitational

The Granton Thornton Invitational debuted one yr in the past with loads of fanfare and success. Gamers, followers, and media alike counseled the PGA Tour and LPGA for organizing a blended occasion stuffed with stars, leisure, and drama.

The format additionally acquired vital acclaim; the identical construction will apply to the 2024 version. Day one will characteristic a two-person scramble. Day two can be alternate shot, as seen within the Ryder Cup. The ultimate spherical is a modified four-ball—each gamers hit their tee photographs, after which they swap golf balls for his or her method till their ball is holed. The decrease rating of the companions is then counted because the crew rating for the opening. Jason Day and Lydia Ko received final yr, and the all-Aussie duo will return to defend their title this time round.

All 16 groups are listed beneath, with every participant’s rankings included and one tidbit about every crew:

1. Lydia Ko and Jason Day

World Golf Rankings: Ko (4), Day (33)

The all-Australian duo received final yr, to allow them to undoubtedly do it once more in 2024. Ko has had a terrific season, highlighted by her win at St. Andrews. Day, in the meantime, completed thirty third within the FedEx Cup rankings, however his new cope with Malbon Golf drew extra consideration to him than his play this yr.

2. Nelly Korda and Tony Finau

World Golf Rankings: Korda (1), Finau (26)

Discuss star energy. Nelly Korda received six occasions earlier this yr, 5 of them coming in a row. Tony Finau, in the meantime, has 5 prime 10s this yr.

3. Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler

World Golf Rankings: Thompson (49), Fowler (66)

This may very well be Lexi Thompson’s swansong, as she introduced her retirement from enjoying full-time earlier this yr on the U.S. Girls’s Open in Lancaster. Fowler just lately posted his first prime 10 this season in Japan, thus holding a 16-year streak intact.

Picture by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Photographs

4. Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners

World Golf Rankings: Henderson (22), Conners (37)

Oh, Canada! My house and fatherland… Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners completed runner-up to Ko and Day a yr in the past, and so they have the expertise to take house the title this yr. These two Canadians have 12 prime 10s mixed in 2024.

5. Lilia Vu and Luke Listing

World Golf Rankings: Vu (2), Listing (101)

After teaming up with Joel Dahmen one yr in the past, Lilia Vu has a brand new accomplice in Luke Listing, who has two profession PGA Tour victories. Vu battled a again harm earlier this yr however received instantly upon her return in June. She additionally completed T-2 at Sahalee and St. Andrews.

6. Rose Zhang and Sahith Theegala

World Golf Rankings: Zhang (12), Theegala (13)

California… is aware of occasion… Californians are additionally excellent golfers and look no additional than this duo, who tied for ninth final yr. Each Rose Zhang and Sahith Theegala picked up their first profession wins in 2023, and Zhang added a second one earlier this yr.

7. Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim

World Golf Rankings: Thitikul (7), Kim (25)

Name this the ‘Staff of Youth.’ Jeeno Thitikul, who’s 21 years previous, and Tom Kim, who turned 22 in June, will make their debuts on the Grant Thornton Invitational this yr. Mixed, Thitikul and Kim have six profession victories.

8. Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp

World Golf Rankings: Tavatanakit (23), Knapp (81)

This all-UCLA crew options Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp, who will debut on this occasion this yr. Tavatanakit has two wins—certainly one of them a serious—to her title, whereas Knapp’s maiden victory on the PGA Tour got here in Mexico in February.

9. Megan Khang and Matt Kuchar

World Golf Rankings: Khang (21), Kuchar (103)

That is an fascinating pairing, contemplating Matt Kuchar is 20 years older than Megan Khang. Kuchar has one prime 10 end and a weird Monday end on the Wyndham Championship this season, whereas Khang has completed among the many prime 10 on 4 events.

10. Celine Boutier and Matthieu Pavon

World Golf Rankings: Boutier (8), Pavon (29)

Be careful for this French duo. Celine Boutier is among the finest gamers on this planet and eventually received her first main championship final yr in her house nation. Matthieu Pavon, in the meantime, has rapidly develop into a PGA Tour stalwart, as he kicked off his rookie season with a win at Torrey Pines.

11. Andrea Lee and Billy Horschel

World Golf Rankings: Lee (50), Horschel (17)

After a disappointing T-14 end final yr, Billy Horschel and Andrea Lee reunite after each gamers had sturdy seasons. In late February, Horschel nearly fell out of the highest 100 however has since climbed into the highest 20, due to strong finishes at The Open and an epic playoff win over Rory McIlroy at Wentworth. Lee, in the meantime, tied for third on the U.S. Girls’s Open and has 5 prime 10s this yr. They need to fare significantly better this time round.

12. Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia

World Golf Rankings: Kupcho (53), Bhatia (31)

One other crew that may make its Grant Thornton Invitational debut this yr is Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia, who’ve 5 mixed profession wins. Bhatia received the Valero Texas Open earlier this yr, whereas Kupcho posted six prime 10s.

13. Gabriela Ruffels and Nick Dunlap

World Golf Rankings: Ruffels (46), Dunlap (34)

This younger crew will even make its first begin this yr. Gabriela Ruffels, 24, has 4 prime 10s on the LPGA this season, a powerful accomplishment as a rookie. Nick Dunlap, one other extremely touted rookie, burst into the sporting world’s mainstream by successful The American Specific in January—the primary newbie to win a PGA Tour occasion since Phil Mickelson did so in 1991.

14. Lauren Coughlin and Cameron Younger

World Golf Rankings: Coughlin (14), Younger (32)

One other pair of newbies. Lauren Coughlin has had a stellar season, highlighted by her super play on the Solheim Cup in Virginia. Cameron Younger, in the meantime, continues to seek for his first win. The previous Wake Forest Demon Deacon has six top-10s this season, together with a T-9 at Augusta Nationwide.

15. Mel Reid and Cameron Champ

World Golf Rankings: Reid (374), Champ (373)

Their rankings definitely soar off the web page, however Mel Reid and Cameron Champ are Grant Thornton ambassadors, therefore their inclusion within the discipline. However these two gamers have 4 mixed victories; something can occur in any given week. Plus, Reid performed on 4 European Solheim Cup groups.

16. Maja Stark and J.T. Poston

World Golf Rankings: Stark (24), Poston (40)

Maja Stark made 15-of-19 cuts this season and has 4 top-10 finishes, together with a solo second to Korda at The Chevron Championship in April. J.T. Poston, in the meantime, simply received the Shriners Kids’s Open, his third profession PGA Tour victory. They are going to crew up collectively for the primary time.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Be sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.