In the closing round of the Grant Thornton Invitational, Lydia Ko and Jason Day preserved their lead to clinch the title in the first mixed competition.
Grant Thornton Invitational Scores
- Leading: L. Ko (NZ) & J. Day (Aus) at -26; Close Contenders: B. Henderson & C. Conners (Can) at -25; Third Place: M. Sagstrom & L. Aberg (Swe) at -24; Other Notable Scores: -23 N. Korda & T. Finau (US), M. Khang & D. McCarthy (US); Additional Scores: -22 L. Maguire (Ire) & L. Glover (US), L. Thompson & R. Fowler (US); -20 C. Hull & J. Rose (Eng); -16 M. Reid (Eng) & R. Henley (US)
Complete Leaderboard
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko displayed her prowess with a crucial birdie on the 17th and a straightforward par on the final hole, joining forces with Australian Jason Day to emerge victorious in the debut Grant Thornton Invitational.
The duo consistently performed, carding a second successive 66 on Sunday, culminating their three-day challenge at an impressive 26-under, leading the mixed teams from the PGA and LPGA.
Entering the final round with a two-stroke advantage, they managed to maintain their lead.
Just one stroke behind were Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners, who showcased their skills at Florida’s Tiburon Golf Club.
Swedes Madelene Sagstrom and Ludvig Aberg claimed third with a stellar 24-under, including an exceptional final-round 60 featuring 10 birdies and a crucial eagle. Despite their effort, Ko and Day’s six-under-par finish kept them ahead.
Reflecting on their win, Day remarked, “This felt like one of the most effortless victories. Knowing Lydia [Ko] would deliver when it mattered was incredible.”
“The collaboration of the two tours for this event brought a refreshing end to the season,” he added.
The tournament, stretching over three rounds, offered a combined purse of £3.5 million ($4 million), featuring 16 dynamic mixed pairs.
The final round’s unique format included a modified fourball where teammates alternated shots after the tee-off, providing a strategic twist to the game.
Ko shared, “I gained valuable insights, from mastering short chips to confident long drives. This event marks a significant step in uniting the two tours and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
The English duo of Justin Rose and Charley Hull ended the tournament tied for ninth with a 20-under score.
This event marks a historical moment, as the last mixed team tournament by the PGA and LPGA was the JC Penney Classic in 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grant Thornton Invitational
Who won the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational?
Lydia Ko from New Zealand and Jason Day from Australia won the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational, finishing at 26 under par.
What was the format of the final round in the Grant Thornton Invitational?
The final round was a modified fourball format, where both team members teed off, then switched balls for their second shots and played that ball for the rest of the hole.
How did Lydia Ko and Jason Day perform in the final round?
Ko and Day played a consistent game, recording their second consecutive round of 66 on Sunday to secure their victory.
Who were the runners-up at the Grant Thornton Invitational?
Canadian pair Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners finished just one shot behind the leaders, at 25 under par.
What was the significance of the Grant Thornton Invitational in the context of PGA and LPGA tours?
The Grant Thornton Invitational was notable for being a mixed event featuring teams from both the PGA and LPGA tours, a format not seen since the 1999 JC Penney Classic.
More about Grant Thornton Invitational
- Grant Thornton Invitational Official Results
- PGA Tour Mixed Team Events History
- Lydia Ko’s Career Highlights
- Jason Day’s Professional Golf Profile
- PGA and LPGA Tours Collaboration
- Tiburon Golf Club, Florida
- Modified Fourball Format Explained
- Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners’ Performance Review
- Historical Mixed Golf Tournaments
8 comments
Lydia Ko is just phenomenal, her birdie on 17th was clutch, truly one of the greats in women’s golf.
wow, Ko and Day really showed their class in this one, didn’t expect such a solid finish from them!
Is it just me or are mixed events way more exciting?? Love the dynamic it brings to the game.
gotta say, the modified fourball format is a neat twist, makes things more interesting strategicaly.
I was rooting for Henderson and Conners, so close yet so far! Next time, Canada!
Jason Day’s comment about it being stress-free, haha I doubt it was that easy, but they did make it look effortless!
so the last mixed event was in ’99? that’s crazy, glad to see them back, golf’s been needing this.
26 under is no joke, serious skills from Ko and Day, Props to them!