Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak take the lead in the Grant Thornton Invitational, the only mixed-team golf event, after a stunning eagle on the 17th hole. Watch highlights from the foursomes round, including key moments from Charley Hull, Michael Brennan, Lexi Thompson, Wyndham Clark, and more. Will Novak secure another team title this year? Find out as we break down the action and preview the final round in modified fourballs. Don’t miss this exciting golf showdown in Naples, Florida!
Keywords: Grant Thornton Invitational, Lauren Coughlin, Andrew Novak, mixed-team golf, foursomes, fourballs, Charley Hull, Lexi Thompson, Wyndham Clark, golf highlights, Naples Florida, ESPN golf.
In a thrilling twist of fate, Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak are poised to dominate the mixed team golf scene once again. But is this the pinnacle of partnership perfection or just the start of a heated debate on team dynamics? Hey there golf enthusiasts, imagine you’re on the lush greens of Naples, Florida, watching a story unfold that’s equal parts skill, strategy, and sheer excitement. On a crisp December afternoon in 2025, Lauren Coughlin pulled off a jaw-dropping bunker shot that landed right in the hole for an Eagle on the par 517th hole. Teaming up with Andrew Novak, they combined forces in the Forsomes format to post a stellar four under 68. Edging ahead by just one shot as they head into the final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational. And this isn’t Novak’s first rodeo in team play. He’d already clinched a victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Ben Griffin earlier this year with the Grant Thornton being the one and only mixed team event on the PGA Tour. Novak’s eyeing another triumph to cement his legacy. Right now, Coughlin and Novak sit at a commanding 19 under 125, leading by a narrow margin over Charlie Hull and Michael Brennan. Hull and Brennan were on the verge of tying for the top spot, but a frustrating three putt bogey on the last hole with Hull just missing a lip out from barely over three feet away dropped them to a 71. Not far behind, Lexi Thompson and Windam Clark trail by two shots after grinding out eight consecutive pars to close with a 72. But here’s where it gets controversial. Does the pressure of that relentless par streak build character, or does it stifle the creativity that makes golf so captivating? The final round shifts to a modified fourballs format, which might sound a bit tricky if you’re new to golf jargon. Essentially, each player hits their T-shot, then they swap golf balls and play with the partner’s ball from there, keeping the lower score per hole. This setup is designed to encourage aggressive play and potentially lower overall scores, making for some edgeofyou seat moments. And speaking of exciting performances, the Canadian pair of Brook Henderson and Cory Connors made waves in the tougher Forsomes round, racking up seven birdies and briefly claiming the lead before a bogey on the 18th cost them, ending with a 67. They’re now three shots back tied with Nelly Corda and Denny McCarthy who shot 70 and Jennifer Cupcho alongside Chris Goodurup also 70. It’s worth noting that both the Cup show Goodup and Coughlin Novak teams stumbled with a double bogey on the par 514th hole, but Coughlin’s heroics from the right bunker on 17 salvaged their round. As Novak put it, for birdies and an eagle, that’s really really solid for alternate shot. He kept things light-hearted, even when chatting about his ambition to add the Grant Thornton title to his Zurich win. Some are calling it the modern-day Grand Slam Isuric Grant Thornton. He joked, hinting at the legacy boost tomorrow might bring. Charlie Hull, on the other hand, seems unfazed by being in the hunt. She’s expressed a fondness for the underdog role, and this event is no different. Obviously, it would have been nice going with the lead into the final round, she shared. But we can make plenty of birdies out there tomorrow. And this is the part most people miss in mixed team golf. The blend of men’s and women’s strengths can lead to unpredictable outcomes, sometimes favoring strategy over pure power. So, what do you think? Is mixed team golf the future of tournaments, bridging gaps between genders and sports, or does it risk diluting individual achievements? Could Novak’s pursuit of a modern grand slam redefine golf legacies, or is it just clever marketing? Share your thoughts in the comments. Do you side with the leaders, or are you rooting for an upset? Let’s discuss.
