The PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Grant Thornton LLP have announced a new co-ed team event that will see pros and pros compete together. The Grant Thornton Invitational will debut December 4-10, 2023 at Tiburòn Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburòn, Florida.
Grant Thornton Invitational, schedule
The last time the PGA and LPGA organized a mixed tournament was in 1999 with the JCPenney Classic, won by two golf legends: Laura Davies and John Daly.
Participants will be 16 PGA Tour pros and 16 LPGA Tour projects, for a prize pool of $4 million.
Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda recently took part in the QBE Shootout on the PGA Tour, also Nelly Korda participated with Annika Sorenstam in a performance during the PNC Championship.
“As we look to capitalize on the growing interest in the game of golf, adding a coed event to the calendar has been a priority and we greatly appreciate sponsor Grant Thornton’s support in providing an event that will make our sport more attractive and welcoming. for everyone,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We look forward to partnering with the LPGA as we bring world-class entertainment and competition to our fans and the residents of Southwest Florida, who have embraced the PGA TOUR over the past 22 years.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to add the Grant Thornton Invitational to our 2023 schedule,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “By joining forces with the PGA TOUR to host a co-ed event where the best men and women golfers in the world compete alongside each other, we will provide a memorable and enjoyable experience for all golf enthusiasts, showcasing the incredible skills of our players in a new context to a new audience. This is a major step forward for golf, for women’s golf and for the LPGA. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of our partners at the PGA TOUR and Grant Thornton, and look forward to producing a world-class event that inspires, uplifts and advances opportunities for golfers around the world.”
Grant Thornton CEO Seth Siegel echoes that sentiment: “At Grant Thornton, we believe golf can bring people together, to be their best selves, to remove barriers to success, and to help build inclusive communities. That’s why we’re working with the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour to create a tournament where the best golfers in the world, men and women, can compete head-to-head on an equal footing. We know players and fans alike will enjoy this unique event and what it represents for sport and society.”
“PGA TOUR athletes playing alongside top LPGA Tour athletes will be incredible for our fans,” said PGA TOUR Pro Golfer Tony Finau. “They’ve wanted something like this for a long time. Our fans deserve it and to see Grant Thornton stepping up to help the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour put this tournament together, I think is very special.”
“The Grant Thornton Invitational is really about being inclusive and showing people that golf can be accessible to everyone, no matter how you play,” said LPGA Tour Pro Golfer Nelly Korda. “This will be the perfect opportunity to me to do something important to help grow the game and inspire the next generation.
Tiburòn Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Naples will continue to host the CME Group Tour Championship, the LPGA Tour’s end-of-season event from November 16-19, 2023.
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