Grant Thornton Invitational: Meet the Fresh Faces Joining Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson & More in the 2024 Edition
What’s Your Perspective On
Will Lydia Ko and Jason Day defend their title, or will new challengers steal the spotlight?
The much-awaited Grant Thornton Invitational is finally back for its second edition. Last year, with her partner Jason Day in the bunker, Lydia Ko took a 3-wood into the wind from 203 yards on the par-5 17th and delivered the shot of the day, effectively sealing her victory at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational. “I don’t think I’ve seen so many female junior golfers out at an event,” said Day, “especially a PGA Tour event, as I did see them this week.” They will return to defend their title this season.
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Lexi Thompson, who announced her retirement from the full-time schedule of the LPGA Tour, will make it back with her 2023 partner Rickie Fowler after having finished with a T6. They were left four strokes behind the winning duo. This year will be the same mixed event between the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour players, filled with some top players, entertainment, and drama. There will be sixteen teams in the tournament, and six of them will be making their debut.
Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim
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Jeeno Thitikul will be making her first appearance at the Grant Thornton Invitational along with PGA Tour Pro Tom Kim. On one hand, the golfer from Thailand is the current leader of the Aon Rank Reward Challenge, having bagged her third LPGA Tour victory this season at the Dow Championship. On the other hand, Tom Kim might not have earned any wins but has made it to the headlines with his performance at the Presidents Cup. The duo have a total of thirteen top-10 finishes for the season.
Poll of the day
Poll 1 of 6
Which duo do you think has the best chance of winning the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational?
Lydia Ko and Jason Day
Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler
Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim
Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp
Do you think Jordan Spieth’s calm demeanor in the face of career-defining losses sets him apart from other golf pros?
Yes, it shows true sportsmanship
No, he should be more competitive
It’s just part of the game
Not sure
Whats your Perspective on:
Will Lydia Ko and Jason Day defend their title, or will new challengers steal the spotlight?
Have an interesting take?
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Do you think professional golfers should be more vocal about the risks of sun exposure?
Yes, it’s a serious issue
No, it’s not their responsibility
Only if they’ve been affected
Not sure
Is Phil Mickelson’s potential departure from LIV Golf the beginning of the end for the league?
Yes, he’s a key figure
No, they’ll survive without him
It’s too early to tell
LIV Golf was doomed from the start
Is Charley Hull’s focus on her personal life affecting her performance on the golf course?
Yes, she needs to prioritize her career
No, personal life is important too
It’s just a phase
Not sure
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Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp
Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp are also debuting at the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational. The LPGA Tour Pro has had quite an eventful year this season. She made cuts in thirteen out of the sixteen events she appeared in. Additionally, the 25-year-old grabbed her second win at the Honda LPGA Thailand. On the other hand, Knapp bagged his maiden victory on the PGA Tour in February at the Mexico Open.
Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia
Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia have combined nine top-10 finishes this season, and well, the duo will be seen teeing off as a team at the Invitational in December. Kupcho has made twenty-one out of twenty-three cuts this season, while Bhatia has managed to make it to eight weekends. They both have had great momentum this season and might come out as a great team.
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What’s your perspective on:
Will Lydia Ko and Jason Day defend their title, or will new challengers steal the spotlight?
Have an interesting take?
Debate
Gabriela Ruffels and Nick Dunlap
The 2024 season is the first year of Gabriela Ruffels playing full-time on the PGA Tour. The Australian professional has yet to grab a win, but she has shown an exceptional feat in her rookie year. The 24-year-old appeared in twenty events, made the cut in seventeen of them, and finished with a top-10 in four of them.
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On the other hand, Nick Dunlap turned pro just this season and not only won his maiden victory on the Tour at the American Express in his first appearance but also bagged another victory at the Barracuda Championship in July. His win at the American Express made him the first amateur in 33 years on the Tour to bag a win. The duo have been paired together for December and are also the youngest players in the field.
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Lauren Coughlin and Cameron Young
Lauren Coughlin has been playing on the LPGA Tour for six years now. However, she was yet to grab a win, and the 2024 season turned out to be a lucky year for her. The 32-year-old pro grabbed her first victory on the LPGA Tour at the CPKC Women’s Open. Just a few weeks later, Coughlin grabbed her second victory at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. She is paired with Cameron Young for the Invitational, who is yet to grab a win on the PGA Tour. Nonetheless, his season has been commendable this year, with just one missed cut at the RBC Canadian Open.
Maja Stark and J.T. Poston
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Maja Stark is ranked 15 on the Race to CME Globe standings and has had quite an average season this year. She missed four cuts but also finished in the top 10 in four events. She last played in the Maybank Championship, where she finished with a T4, which might be a comeback for the LPGA Tour Pro. She is paired with American professional J.T. Poston, who not only finished in the top 10 in five events but also bagged his third win on the PGA Tour at the Shriners Children’s Open last month.
Who do you think will come out victorious this year at the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Written by
Aheli Chakraborty
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Swinging for Golf Greatness
Aheli Chakraborty is a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature, Aheli has actively covered many big events in the sport, including The Masters. She specializes in covering up-and-coming athletes like Charlie Woods and Ludvig Aberg, and she is always looking to answer her readers’ most-asked questions through her writing! Aheli is also a bodybuilding fanatic and has contributed many niche pieces for ES’ fitness coverage.
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Edited by
Riya Singhal
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