Lydia Ko and Jason Day – two former world No. 1s on their respective tours – showcased their skills and took the lead at the Grant Thornton Invitational. The duo delivered an outstanding performance, shooting a remarkable 6-under 66 in the alternate shot format. What’s even more impressive is that they had just met for the first time earlier this week.
With a strong desire to win, both Ko and Day are determined to make their mark in this event. “It’s fun, but I still want to win and I’m sure Lydia wants to win, too,” said Day. They believe that a victory or even a solid finish will provide the necessary momentum and confidence for the next season. Both players are working on refining their swings, and this tournament offers them an opportunity to test their skills under pressure.
Ko and Day currently hold a two-shot lead over Tony Finau and Nelly Korda, who shot a respectable 70, as well as Leona Maguire and Lucas Glover, who scored a 69.
Although the Grant Thornton Invitational is an unofficial event, it boasts the highest purse on the LPGA Tour outside of the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship. The winners of this tournament will receive a significant prize of $1 million ($500,000 each).
Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson made a remarkable climb up the leaderboard with their impressive performance, finishing in a four-way tie for fourth after shooting a solid 4-under 68. Thompson’s extraordinary hole-in-one on the par-3 16th from 158 yards was her 11th career ace, with five of them occurring in official LPGA tournaments.
Thompson shared her strategy for the remarkable shot, saying, “I ended up taking my 7-iron, which is my 62 to 65 club, and backed up two club lengths from the tee marker and just tried to hit like a 3/4 hole.” She plans to keep the ball as a memento and add it to her collection of other aces and a pair of albatrosses.
Fowler expressed his awe at Thompson’s shot, stating, “Never left the flag,” emphasizing the shot’s precision.
The format of the 16-team event will change for the final round on Sunday. The players will now compete in a modified alternate shot format, where both players will tee off and then play each other’s balls for the rest of the hole. Despite the format change, Ko has full confidence in their abilities. “I have no worries,” said Ko. “Jason has hit almost 90% of the fairways today. I got to hit his ball, and he got to hit mine. In many ways, this was like a pre-warm-up for what tomorrow holds.”
Jokingly, Ko shared her thoughts before knowing the format change, saying, “Oh, man, Jason’s got to hit from places he’s never hit from, like maybe a little further back.” However, they are ready to face the challenge and adapt to the modified alternate shot format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the current leaders at the Grant Thornton Invitational?
Lydia Ko and Jason Day currently hold the lead at the Grant Thornton Invitational with an impressive 6-under 66 in the alternate shot format.
What is the prize for the winners of the Grant Thornton Invitational?
The winners of the Grant Thornton Invitational will receive a substantial prize of $1 million ($500,000 each), making it the highest purse on the LPGA Tour outside of the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship.
How many hole-in-ones has Lexi Thompson achieved in her career?
Lexi Thompson has achieved a remarkable 11 hole-in-ones in her career, with five of them occurring in official LPGA tournaments.
What are the changes in format for the final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational?
The final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational will feature a modified alternate shot format, where both players will tee off and then play each other’s balls for the remainder of the hole.
How confident are Lydia Ko and Jason Day in the new format?
Lydia Ko expressed full confidence in their abilities, emphasizing Day’s exceptional accuracy off the tee. She believes that this round was a pre-warm-up for the challenges and opportunities that await them in the modified alternate shot format.
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