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A detail of the trophy during the first round of the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club on December 08, 2023 in Naples, Florida.
The 2025 edition of the Grant Thornton Invitational is shaping up to deliver one of the most compelling mixed-team events on the golf calendar.
This tournament, pairs one PGA Tour pro with one LPGA Tour pro per team, and features three rounds of varied formats (scramble, alternate-shot/foursomes, and modified four-ball).
With a $4 million prize-pool and full field locked in, the event is poised not just as a novelty, but as a serious competition with star power and strategy in equal parts.
“We are thrilled with the 16 dynamic teams we’ve been able to put together for this year. The interest from both tours continues to be high, and we are incredibly pleased with the collection of world-class players heading to Tiburón Golf Club this December,” Grant Thornton Invitational tournament director, Rob Hartman, said. “These mixed teams are comprised of current-year winners from both tours, many of the game’s rising stars and established veterans and major champions.”
Strategic Storylines
Among the most intriguing pairings is Day/Ko. Day, a former major champion on the PGA Tour, brings firepower off the tee and years of elite competition. Ko, a multiple-major winner on the LPGA Tour, brings an incredible all-around game and past experience winning this event (she and Day actually won the inaugural 2023 edition together).
Then there’s Korda, one of the LPGA Tour’s premier talents, teaming with McCarthy, a PGA Tour pro who often flies under the radar, but has proven consistency. That pairing blends proven elite with “underdog” potential.
Other compelling teams include Hull/Berger, and Clark/Thompson. Each of these pairs brings its own tactical dynamic and audience appeal. The synergy factor will be key: mixed-team events aren’t just about individual star power, they’re about how the two players mesh format-wise, pressure-wise, and strategy-wise.
Format and What Makes This Event Different
One of the things that sets the Grant Thornton Invitational apart is its unusual but engaging format. Over three rounds the event uses different styles of play:
Round 1: Scramble (both players play from best ball)
Round 2: Foursomes/alternate shot (players alternate hitting one ball)
Round 3: Modified four-ball (each plays their own ball, but scoring is adjusted)
This variety tests different skills–not just raw driving or approach shots, but teamwork, strategy, and mental composure under shifting formats.
Moreover, the mixed-tour nature adds to its appeal: fans get to see combinations they usually don’t, rising stars paired with veterans, and cross-tour storylines. The 2025 field boasts teams with a combined 137 tour wins and multiple major champions.
All of this means the event is entertaining, yes, but also competitive. The teams aren’t just showing up for fun; they want to win.
What to Keep an Eye On
As the tournament approaches, here are key storylines to monitor:
Chemistry & Format Adaptation – Will pairings like Korda/McCarthy or Hull/Berger adapt well to the alternate-shot day where mistakes often become magnified? Can Tavatanakit/Knapp get back-to-back victories?
Under-the-Radar Threats – Some teams may not have two household names but bring steadiness and compatibility; they might quietly compete for the win.
Golf-Course Setup & Conditions – At Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, December conditions may favor certain styles (wind, firmness, risk-reward tee shots). How each team adapts could be decisive.
Fan Engagement & Mixed-Tour Appeal – How well the event draws in casual fans curious about the mixed format, and how the players embrace the spectacle–both matter for the future of this event.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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