The inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational took place in Naples, Florida, and boasted a staggering $4 million purse, making it the highest-paying event on the LPGA schedule for 2023, excluding the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship. The winning duo of Lydia Ko and Jason Day secured an impressive $500,000 each in unofficial prize money.
This season, Ko’s most substantial earnings came from the BMW Ladies Championship, where her third-place finish translated to a purse of $147,030. It is evident that the significance of this tournament surpassed just the high monetary reward.
The 16-team field showcased incredible talent and competitiveness. However, Cheyenne Knight and Tom Hoge finished in the last position and took home $120,000 each as a consolation. Even though their performance may not have been as desired, their inclusion in the event was a testament to their capabilities.
It is worth mentioning that the Grant Thornton Invitational marked a historic occasion as the first mixed-team event between the LPGA and PGA Tour since the 1999 JCPenney Classic, which was memorably won by Laura Davies and John Daly. This collaboration between the two tours added an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the competition.
Full Purse Breakdown
| Position | Team | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lydia Ko / Jason Day | -26 | $1,000,000 |
| 2 | Brooke Henderson / Corey Conners | -25 | $560,000 |
| 3 | Madelene Sagstrom / Ludvig Aberg | -24 | $330,000 |
| T-4 | Megan Khang / Denny McCarthy | -23 | $232,500 |
| T-4 | Nelly Korda / Tony Finau | -23 | $232,500 |
| T-6 | Leona Maguire / Lucas Glover | -22 | $185,000 |
| T-6 | Lexi Thompson / Rickie Fowler | -22 | $185,000 |
| 8 | Angel Yin / Nick Taylor | -21 | $170,000 |
| T-9 | Rose Zhang / Sahith Theegala | -20 | $151,666 |
| T-9 | Lilia Vu / Joel Dahmen | -20 | $151,666 |
| T-9 | Charley Hull / Justin Rose | -20 | $151,666 |
| 12 | Celine Boutier / Harris English | -19 | $140,000 |
| 13 | Mel Reid / Russell Henley | -16 | $135,000 |
| T-14 | Andrea Lee / Billy Horschel | -14 | $127,500 |
| T-14 | Allisen Corpuz / Cameron Champ | -14 | $127,500 |
| 16 | Cheyenne Knight / Tom Hoge | -13 | $120,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the Grant Thornton Invitational?
The Grant Thornton Invitational is a highly esteemed golf event that features top talent from both the LPGA and PGA Tours. It offers a substantial purse and attracts leading professional golfers.
Who won the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational?
The victorious team of the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational was Lydia Ko and Jason Day. Their exceptional performance secured them the first-place prize of $1,000,000.
What is the highest-paying event on the LPGA schedule in 2023?
Excluding the majors and the CME Group Tour Championship, the Grant Thornton Invitational holds the distinction of being the highest-paying event on the LPGA schedule in 2023, with a remarkable $4 million purse.
When was the last mixed-team event between the LPGA and PGA Tour prior to the Grant Thornton Invitational?
The previous mixed-team event between the LPGA and PGA Tour occurred in 1999 at the JCPenney Classic, where Laura Davies and John Daly emerged as the winners. The Grant Thornton Invitational reignited this exciting format.
Leave a Reply