Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp lead the Grant Thornton Invitational leaderboard after a stellar opening round at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The Thai-American pair combined for a 14-under-par score of 58, delivering 12 birdies and one eagle in the PGA and LPGA Tour mixed event.
This tournament, staged from December 13-15, features 16 mixed pairs competing for a shared prize purse of £3.5 million ($4 million). Tavatanakit and Knapp’s outstanding performance places them one shot ahead of the American duo Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia, and Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners, who are tied for second at 13-under.
Strong Competition Close Behind
Several teams remain in close contention. Sweden’s Maja Stark and the USA’s J.T. Poston, along with Allisen Corpuz and Sahith Theegala, hold fourth place at 11-under. Tied at 10-under are Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul and Korea’s Tom Kim, alongside the defending champions, Lydia Ko from New Zealand and Australia’s Jason Day.
Ko and Day, winners of the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational in 2023, capped off their round with a birdie, keeping them within striking distance as the tournament progresses.
Reviving Mixed Team Golf
The Grant Thornton Invitational marks a significant revival of mixed team golf. It’s the first PGA and LPGA Tour mixed event since the JC Penney Classic in 1999. Players and fans alike have welcomed the unique format, which showcases collaboration between male and female golfers at the highest level.
Tiburon Golf Club, a par-72 layout, offers an exciting challenge for competitors, blending risk and reward elements throughout its design. With two rounds remaining, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, promising an exhilarating finish.
Key Performances to Watch
As the second round unfolds, all eyes will be on Tavatanakit and Knapp to see if they can maintain their lead. Kupcho, Bhatia, Henderson, and Conners will aim to close the gap, while Ko and Day’s experience as defending champions could give them an edge in the later stages.
For a complete leaderboard and ongoing updates, visit BBC Sport. For related sports news, check out Eurasia Sports.
