The upcoming Grant Thornton Invitational is undergoing a major team change, thanks to a big life change for LPGA Tour winner Jessica Korda. The 30-year-old golfer, who has won six LPGA Tour titles, committed to play in the mixed-team event with partner Rickie Fowler back in February. However, in August, Korda announced that she and her husband, Johnny DelPrete, are expecting their first child, and the baby is due in February. As a result, Korda has decided to withdraw from the Grant Thornton Invitational, which will take place from December 8 to 10 at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples.
With Korda’s withdrawal, Fowler will now team up with Lexi Thompson, an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour. The duo will be one of the 16 teams competing for the event’s $4 million purse. This new team pairing brings an exciting dynamic to the tournament and adds to the anticipation surrounding the Grant Thornton Invitational.
The Grant Thornton Invitational, which replaces the QBE Shootout, will feature three distinct playing formats: scramble, foursome, and modified four-ball. This variety of formats will provide an exciting and challenging experience for the players and add an extra layer of interest for the spectators.
Fowler and Thompson join three other confirmed team pairings for the event: Nelly Korda and Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala and Rose Zhang, and Canadian golfers Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson. With such talented pairings, the competition at the Grant Thornton Invitational promises to be fierce and captivating.
Last year, Thompson and Nelly Korda were the only women to compete in the 2022 QBE Shootout. Korda, partnering with Denny McCarthy, tied for fifth place, while Thompson, teaming up with Maverick McNealy, tied for 10th. Theegala and his partner Tom Hoge emerged as the winners of the last year’s QBE Shootout, displaying impressive skills and coming from two strokes behind in the final round to defeat Ryan Palmer and Charley Hoffman.
The addition of Thompson to the PGA Tour event signifies a momentous step for women’s golf. Thompson is set to make PGA Tour history, and her participation in the Grant Thornton Invitational adds another layer of excitement and significance to the tournament.
The Grant Thornton Invitational is sure to attract a broad range of fans and generate significant interest in the golfing community. With a mix of top male and female golfers, the tournament promises thrilling competition and compelling storylines. The event will provide a unique opportunity for golf fans to see some of their favorite players team up and compete against one another in an exciting and challenging format.
As the date of the Grant Thornton Invitational approaches, golf enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing exceptional golfing skills, dynamic team pairings, and undoubtedly some nail-biting moments on the course. The tournament is set to be an unforgettable experience for both the players and fans alike.
Sources:
– https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/10/06/pga-tour-lpga-rickie-fowler-lexi-thompson-mixed-event-grant-thornton/
– https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/10/04/lpga-lexi-thompson-pga-tour-exemption-las-vegas-shriners/