2024 Grant Thornton Invitational Preview

This week it's the second year of the Grant Thornton Invitational. A mixed-team Challenge Season event that sees 16 LPGA Tour and 16 PGA TOUR professionals compete together in a unique co-sanctioned tournament. The three-day tournament showcases three different formats of team play and allows the 32-player field to compete for equal prize money and visibility. Lydia Ko and Jason Day won the inaugural event in 2023.  

2024 Grant Thornton Invitational Competition Format:

Friday: Scramble - Each player hits a tee shot and then the team selects the ball to be used for the next shot. From there, both players hit their next shots from that spot. This process continues until the ball is holed.
Saturday: Foursomes - Each team’s players alternate hitting shots with the same ball until the ball is holed. One player will tee off on the odd-numbered holes, and the other tees off on the even-numbered holes.
Sunday: Modified Four-Ball - Both players tee off, and then they switch balls for their second shots and play that same ball until it is holed. The lower score of the partners is then counted as the team score for the hole.

2024 Grant Thornton Invitational Field:

• Céline Boutier and Matthieu Pavon
• Allisen Corpuz and Sahith Theegala
• Lauren Coughlin and Cameron Young
• Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners
• Megan Khang and Matt Kuchar
• Lydia Ko and Jason Day
• Nelly Korda and Tony Finau*
• Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia
• Andrea Lee and Max Greyserman
• Mel Reid and Cameron Champ
• Gabriela Ruffels and Nick Dunlap
• Maja Stark and J.T. Poston
• Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp
• Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim
• Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler
• Lilia Vu and Luke List

*Tony Finau has had to withdraw through injury and been replaced by Daniel Berger.

"I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the Grant Thornton Invitational as I continue to recover from my knee injury. Playing with Nelly in 2023 was one of the highlights of my year. I look forward to cheering her on this week and am thankful for her support and understanding as I work on getting fully healthy."

Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson gear up for the Grant Thornton Invitational

In the pre-tournament press conference, both Fowler and Thompson expressed their excitement about teaming up again. For Thompson, the chance to play alongside Fowler is both fun and a valuable learning opportunity. “We had a lot of fun last year,” she said. “It’s exciting to be part of a team event, and you learn so much by playing alongside the guys. It’s a different game in many ways, but that’s what makes it so special.”

Fowler echoed her sentiments, highlighting the unique dynamic of competing alongside players from the women’s game. “It’s fun to mix it up and see the similarities and differences in how we approach the game,” he said. “Alternate shot format, in particular, brings its own challenges—it’s where you see what your partner is made of. Lexi and I had a blast last year, and we’re looking to build on that.”

Reflecting on last year’s success

Looking back at their performance in 2023, both players singled out their shared hole-in-one as a standout memory. Thompson described it as a highlight of her career. “To make a hole-in-one in a team format, especially in alternate shot, was incredible,” she said. “This event is special because of moments like that - it’s so well-organized, and the atmosphere is just amazing.”

Fowler, a Grant Thornton ambassador, emphasised the importance of events like this for the growth of the sport. “It’s a world-class event that showcases the women’s game alongside the men’s,” he said. “Golf needs more opportunities like this, where we’re competing together and showing fans how exciting and diverse the game can be.”

Ready to compete

As Fowler and Thompson prepare to hit the course, their camaraderie and mutual respect are evident. With last year’s experience under their belt and a shared determination to perform well, they’re poised to be a force to reckoned with at the Grant Thornton Invitational.

For fans of both players, and of golf as a whole, this event is a reminder of the power of collaboration and the joy of competition. Whether they claim the trophy or not, Fowler and Thompson’s partnership is a testament to what makes golf such a dynamic and inclusive sport.

Find out more about the Grant Thornton Invitational here.