The 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique mixed-team golf event, brings together PGA and LPGA professionals to compete at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida. This innovative tournament, which combines the strengths of both tours, features 16 mixed-gender teams vying for a share of a $4 million purse. The defending champions, Jason Day and Lydia Ko, return to the field and face stiff competition from elite pairings like Tony Finau with Nelly Korda and Corey Conners with Brooke Henderson. This year’s event also carries an emotional storyline as Lexi Thompson, partnered with Rickie Fowler, plays her final professional tournament before retiring
Tiburon Golf Club provides a demanding test with its par-72 layout stretching 7,382 yards for PGA players and 6,595 yards for LPGA players. The course is known for its fast greens, strategic bunkering, and challenging water hazards, making precision and adaptability crucial for success. As a seasoned venue for top-tier tournaments, Tiburon offers a fitting stage for a mixed-format event that demands both power and finesse from the players
The odds highlight strong favorites and intriguing narratives. At the forefront are Kim/Thitikul at 5/1, followed closely by Finau/Korda at 6/1. The defending champions Day/Ko and Conners/Henderson both carry odds of 7/1, reflecting their strong teamwork and recent performances. Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson, at 12/1, represent a sentimental choice for bettors, with Thompson looking to end her career on a high note alongside Fowler, a pairing that finished T6 last year. Dark horse combinations, like Sahith Theegala and Allisen Corpuz at 10/1, also provide intriguing options
For picks, Finau/Korda emerge as strong contenders due to their complementary styles, with Finau’s length off the tee and Korda’s impeccable iron play. The defending champions, Day and Ko, bring undeniable chemistry and a proven ability to perform under pressure. Meanwhile, Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson boast consistency and the potential for a breakout performance. Fowler and Thompson add an emotional factor to the mix, as the duo’s synergy and Thompson’s swan song could inspire a standout showing
Overall, the Grant Thornton Invitational offers an exciting mix of star power, strategy, and storytelling, making it a must-watch event for golf fans. Whether it’s the emotional farewell of a retiring legend or the thrilling chase for victory among top-tier teams, the tournament promises to deliver drama and high-level competition.
