Pros News
What a weekend of exciting golf we witnessed at the Grant Thornton Invitational! This unique event, held at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, brought a refreshing twist to professional golf by pairing male and female pros together in mixed teams. It’s a tournament that celebrates skill, teamwork, and camaraderie—a reminder of the inclusive and social nature of our beloved sport.
The competition featured a star-studded lineup, with notable pairings like LPGA superstar Nelly Korda and PGA powerhouse Tony Finau, and Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler. Over the tournament, the teams played across different formats, including a Texas Scramble on Day 1, Foursomes (alternate shot) on Day 2, and a modified Four-Ball format on the last day, which proved decisive in determining the winners.
The team of Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp stole the show with their remarkable chemistry and clutch performances, including a first-round 58 in the Texas Scramble format to finish at the top of the leaderboard. The pair dove-tailed nicely and were a joy to watch, reminding us all how strategy and teamwork really makes a difference in a pairs format.
What made this event truly special wasn’t just the competition, but the fact that it brought the PGA and LPGA tours together and brought us three different formats across the week, creating a very unique atmosphere. Fans were treated to not only world-class golf but also moments of fun and interaction between players that somehow made the event more relatable to us club golfers.
This tournament is a perfect example of why golf is more than just a game. It’s a social experience, whether you’re a professional competing under the spotlight or a club member sharing laughs and shots on a Saturday morning. Seeing the pros paired together, learning from one another, and enjoying the game reminds us all that golf is a sport that connects people together.
Let’s take a cue from the weekend and celebrate the social side of golf—whether it’s in a friendly four-ball or a club scramble, the game is always better shared with friends.
