2025 Grant Thornton Invitational Preview: Teams, Format & Winning Picks

Part I: The New Tradition of Unity at the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational

The Evolution of the Mixed Game

The professional golf landscape has long been defined by its bifurcation—two distinct orbits of the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour, rarely intersecting save for the major championships that occasionally share venues years apart, or the synchronized calendars of Olympic competition. However, the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational has rapidly established itself not merely as a “silly-season” exhibition, but as a pivotal cultural touchstone in the sport’s modern era. Returning to Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, for its third edition, this tournament represents the only co-sanctioned mixed-team event on the schedule, a format that has reinvigorated the December calendar.

The history of this event is a study in evolution. For decades, the site hosted the QBE Shootout, a team event primarily for men, founded by Greg Norman in 1989. While that tournament had its charm, often featuring a lone female competitor in its later years, the transformation into the Grant Thornton Invitational in 2023 marked a paradigm shift. It was the first time since the JCPenney Classic ended in 1999 that the two tours formally united for a full-field competition.

The significance of the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational cannot be overstated; it is a tangible manifestation of the “grow the game” mantra, moving beyond marketing slogans to actual competitive equity. The purse of $4 million is split equally, a powerful symbol in a sport grappling with pay disparity, but the true value lies in the optics: the world’s best men and women plotting strategy, reading lines, and celebrating eagles together on the same fairways.

In its brief but impactful history, the tournament has already produced lore worthy of a major. The inaugural victory by Jason Day and Lydia Ko in 2023 set a high standard—a partnership of two former World No. 1s that showcased the cerebral similarities between the men’s and women’s elite games. Their victory was followed in 2024 by the dynamic duo of Jake Knapp and Patty Tavatanakit, whose chemistry and explosive scoring shattered tournament records.

As the field descends upon Naples for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational, the narrative is no longer just about the novelty of the format; it is about the prestige of the title. Players are no longer treating this as a hit-and-giggle vacation; the competitive fires are stoked, fueled by national pride, collegiate rivalries, and the simple desire to end a long season hoisting a trophy.

The Venue for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational: Tiburón Golf Club

The stage for this convergence is the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club, a Greg Norman design that has become synonymous with high-stakes golf in Southwest Florida. Opened in 1998, the course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, a designation that speaks to its integration with the native Florida landscape. However, for the players in the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational, the beauty of the towering pines and indigenous flora belies a stern strategic test.

Norman’s design philosophy at Tiburón is distinct for its absence of conventional rough. Instead, the fairways are lined with vast areas of coquina shell waste bunkers and pine straw. This architectural choice fundamentally alters the risk-reward calculus. A wayward drive isn’t just nestled in thick Bermuda grass where a player can gouge out a wedge; it sits on crushed shell or pine needles, demanding a clean strike and precise ball-first contact to control spin and trajectory.

For the mixed teams competing in the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational, this creates a fascinating equalizer. The raw power of the PGA TOUR players allows them to carry many of these hazards, but the precision required from the waste areas often favors the sublime ball-striking consistency found on the LPGA Tour.

Water is a pervasive threat, coming into play on 13 of the 18 holes. The hazards are not merely ornamental; they guard the optimal angles of approach and punish the aggressive lines that the format often encourages. The course plays to a par of 72, stretching to 7,382 yards for the men and 6,788 yards for the women. This yardage setup is critical. It is designed to ensure that both partners are hitting similar clubs into the greens, effectively normalizing the distance advantage and placing the premium on execution.

Course Metrics and Setup

Course Name: Tiburón Golf Club (Gold Course)

Designer: Greg Norman (1998)

Par: 72

Men’s Yardage: 7,382 yards

Women’s Yardage: 6,788 yards

Key Hazard: Coquina shell waste bunkers (no traditional rough)

Water Hazards: In play on 13 holes

Greens: TifEagle Bermudagrass, running 12-12.5 on Stimpmeter

The greens at Tiburón are large, undulating, and protected by stacked sod-wall bunkers—a nod to the links courses of the British Isles, transplanted to the humid subtropics of Florida. These bunkers are steep and penal; finding the sand here is often a half-stroke penalty immediately. The green complexes feature tightly mown collection areas (run-offs) rather than thick rough surrounds. This invites creativity: players can choose to putt, chip, or flop from off the green.

The Three-Headed Monster: Format Analysis

The 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational is unique not just for who is playing, but for how they play. The tournament utilizes a different format for each of the three days, a structure that tests every facet of a team’s chemistry and skill set.

Day 1: Scramble (Friday)

Friday opens with the Scramble format, the great equalizer and the day for going low. In this format, both players hit tee shots, the team selects the best one, and both play from that spot. This continues until the ball is holed.

Strategic Implication: The Scramble is a green light for aggression. It frees up the longer hitters to unleash the driver without fear of consequences, knowing their partner can put a “safety” ball in the fairway. We saw this in 2023 when Tony Finau and Nelly Korda carded a tournament-record 56. In 2024, Knapp and Tavatanakit opened with a 58. The psychological dynamic here is crucial: the “safety” player must be reliable. Expect scores in the mid-to-low 50s to be the benchmark. Anything worse than 60 on Friday effectively eliminates a team from contention before the weekend begins.

Day 2: Foursomes (Saturday)

Saturday brings the Foursomes, or Alternate Shot, traditionally the most difficult and volatile format in team golf. One player tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, and they alternate shots until the ball is holed.

Strategic Implication: This is where the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational will be won or lost. It exposes weaknesses mercilessly. A bad drive puts the partner in trouble; a missed green leaves the partner with a difficult up-and-down. The key here is not just shot-making, but emotional management. As Nelly Korda noted in her pre-tournament presser, the golden rule is “never saying sorry”. The ability to forgive a partner’s mistake and focus on the recovery is paramount. The 64 shot by Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim in this format in 2024 remains the gold standard.

Day 3: Modified Four-Ball (Sunday)

Sunday concludes with the Modified Four-Ball, a proprietary twist that distinguishes this event. Both players tee off, but then they switch balls for their second shots. Player A hits Player B’s drive, and Player B hits Player A’s drive. They then play that same ball until holed, and the lower of the two scores counts.

Strategic Implication: This format is a brilliant tactical examination. It forces players to hit shots from positions they rarely visit. A PGA TOUR player might find themselves hitting an approach from an LPGA landing zone, leaving them with a tricky half-wedge distance that requires immense feel. Conversely, an LPGA player might be hitting a long iron or hybrid from a spot further back than usual if their male partner hit a conservative iron off the tee. It blends the individual brilliance of standard Four-Ball with the collaborative necessity of Foursomes.

Part II: Contenders for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational

The field for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational is a kaleidoscope of talent, featuring 16 teams comprised of 32 of the world’s finest players. The roster boasts 10 major champions and a combined 137 professional victories. The narratives are as rich as the purse, with comeback stories, rookie sensations, and established legends all vying for the trophy.

The Defending Champions: Patty Tavatanakit & Jake Knapp

Returning to defend their title, Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp enter the week with the confidence of a duo that has proven their chemistry under fire. Their 2024 victory was a clinic in complementary golf. Tavatanakit, the Thai star with a major championship pedigree (2021 ANA Inspiration), brings length and a fiery putting stroke. Knapp, the smooth-swinging American who burst onto the scene with a PGA TOUR win in 2024, matches her with an effortless power game and a laid-back demeanor that absorbs pressure.

2025 Form and Context: Tavatanakit has had a steady 2025, notching three top-10s, including a T7 at the CME Group Tour Championship at this very course just weeks ago. However, the narrative surrounding Jake Knapp is far heavier. He returns to competition this week for the first time since August, following the tragic passing of his girlfriend, Makena White. The support system of the tour, and specifically his partner Tavatanakit, will be crucial. If Knapp can find his rhythm early, their story could be the most compelling of the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational.

The Inaugural Kings & Queens: Lydia Ko & Jason Day

The 2023 champions, Lydia Ko and Jason Day, reunite for a third consecutive year. This pairing is golf royalty. Ko, an LPGA Hall of Famer and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist, had a resurgence in early 2025 with a win at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. Day, a former World No. 1 with 13 PGA TOUR wins, continues to battle chronic back issues but remains an elite scorer when healthy.

The Dynamic: Their chemistry is palpable. Ko has spoken of how Day’s meticulous routine and calmness under pressure stabilize her. Day, in turn, marvels at Ko’s wedge play and putting, admitting he tries to emulate her simplicity around the greens. They are the team that will not make mistakes; you have to go out and beat them with birdies.

The Favorites: Nelly Korda & Denny McCarthy

On paper, this is the team to beat at the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational. Nelly Korda, the World No. 2, is arguably the most dominant female golfer of her generation, despite a statistically paradoxical 2025 season where she went winless despite leading the tour in multiple strokes-gained categories. Denny McCarthy, widely regarded as one of the best putters on the PGA TOUR, is seeking his first official win, and his hunger is palpable.

The “Winless” Narrative: Korda’s 2025 is a fascinating case study in golf’s cruelty. She posted nine top-10s and didn’t miss a cut in 19 starts. Her Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee increased to 0.94 (ranking 1st), yet the trophies eluded her. McCarthy faces a similar narrative—an elite talent who consistently contends but hasn’t closed the deal. Together, they form a team with a massive chip on its shoulder.

The Canadian Powerhouse: Brooke Henderson & Corey Conners

Canada’s finest, Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners, return for a third year. They have been the model of consistency, finishing 2nd in 2023 and T4 in 2024.

Strategic Fit: This team is built on ball-striking. Conners is statistically one of the best iron players in the world, a machine who hits fairways and greens with robotic frequency. Henderson mirrors this profile—she is the winningest Canadian golfer in history. Their weakness, historically, has been putting. If they can get the flat sticks working on the Bermudagrass greens of Tiburón, their tee-to-green game is superior to almost any other team in the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational.

The Youth Movement: Lottie Woad & Luke Clanton

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline of the week is the pairing of Lottie Woad and Luke Clanton. Both 21 years old, they were teammates at Florida State University and both ascended to World No. 1 in the amateur rankings in 2024—a feat never before achieved by a single university program simultaneously.

The Meteoric Rise: Lottie Woad’s trajectory is nothing short of meteoric. After winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, she turned professional in July 2025 and immediately won the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open in her pro debut. Luke Clanton earned his PGA TOUR card through the PGA TOUR University Accelerated program, showcasing a level of readiness that belies his age. This team brings a youthful, fearless energy.

The Late Substitution: Charley Hull & Michael Brennan

Drama struck early in the week when Daniel Berger withdrew without a stated reason, leaving World No. 5 Charley Hull without a partner. Enter Michael Brennan. The 23-year-old Wake Forest alum is the definition of a “hot hand.” He gained entry into the field after a stunning victory at the Bank of Utah Championship in October 2025.

Chemistry Unknown: Hull and Brennan have had zero time to prepare together. However, this lack of expectation can be liberating. Hull is a notoriously fast player who thrives on instinct. Brennan is playing with house money and drives the ball miles, which pairs perfectly with Hull’s aggressive style.

Other Notable Pairings

Jessica Korda & Bud Cauley: Jessica Korda makes her long-awaited return to competition after a hiatus since May 2023. She is paired with Bud Cauley, a close family friend. They will undoubtedly be the sentimental favorites of the gallery.

Tony Finau & Lilia Vu: Both enter looking to wash away the frustrations of injury-plagued seasons. Finau recently underwent knee surgery, while Vu battled back issues. If their bodies hold up, their class is permanent.

Wyndham Clark & Lexi Thompson: A power pairing of major champions. If they can keep the ball in play, they will feast on the par-5s.

Rose Zhang & Michael Kim: Two intellectual, precise players. Their game is built on course management rather than brute force.

Part III: The Battlefield – Course Strategy & Key Holes

The Gold Course at Tiburón is not a brute force test; it is a chess match played on grass. With green speeds running at a swift 12 to 12.5 on the Stimpmeter and the unique coquina waste areas replacing rough, the strategy for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational changes daily.

Key Holes to Watch

Hole 16 (Par 3, 170/190 yards): The finish at Tiburón is legendary for its volatility. The 16th is a mid-length par 3 playing over water to a green cut into a bulkhead. In the Foursomes format on Saturday, this hole is a scorecard wrecker.

Hole 17 (Par 5, 559/485 yards): The pivotal risk-reward hole. A dogleg left that demands a draw off the tee, it tempts players to go for the green in two. In the Modified Four-Ball, we will see divergent strategies: the longer hitter might take on the water to leave their partner a short eagle putt, while the shorter hitter lays up to secure a birdie par.

Hole 18 (Par 4, 485/395 yards): The closer. A long, demanding par 4 with the Ritz-Carlton resort framing the backdrop. The drive must thread the needle between water left and waste area right. The 18th at Tiburón does not yield birdies easily; par is often a winning score to close out the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational.

Part IV: The Bigger Picture

The Narrative Arcs of 2025

This tournament serves as the epilogue to a fascinating 2025 season that saw new stars emerge and established legends falter.

Nelly Korda’s Paradox: The central storyline of the year has been Nelly Korda’s inability to win despite playing arguably the best golf of her life tee-to-green. A win at the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational would be a massive psychological balm heading into the off-season.

The Retirement Question: Lexi Thompson announced in 2024 that she was stepping away from a full-time schedule, yet she played significantly in 2025. Her appearance here suggests she is far from done.

The Youth Takeover: The presence of Woad, Clanton, and Brennan signals a changing of the guard. These players are skipping the traditional “learning curve” and winning immediately.

Impact on the Game

The 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational is more than an exhibition; it is a proof of concept. For years, the argument against mixed events was logistical: course setup, tee disparities, and television interest. This event has debunked those myths. The agronomy teams at Tiburón have perfected the tee setups to ensure equity, and the cross-pollination of respect between tours is the event’s lasting legacy.

Part V: 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational Predictions and Projections

Predicting a mixed-team event with variable formats is notoriously difficult, but the data points to a few clear favorites for the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational.

The Safe Bet: Nelly Korda & Denny McCarthy (+550). Despite the winless season, Korda is the best ball-striker in the women’s field. McCarthy is the best putter in the men’s field. That combination is the formula for victory in Scramble and Four-Ball.

The Value Pick: Brooke Henderson & Corey Conners (+650). Consistency wins over three days. In Foursomes (Alternate Shot), their ball-striking reliability gives them a massive edge over teams that rely on scrambling. They are due for a breakthrough.

The Dark Horse: Lottie Woad & Luke Clanton (+1200). Do not underestimate the power of fearless youth and pre-existing chemistry. They know each other’s games intimately from their FSU days. They offer incredible value.

The “Wildcard”: Charley Hull & Michael Brennan (+750). Brennan is the longest hitter in the field relative to expectation. Hull is a birdie machine. If they click early, they have the firepower to overpower the golf course.

Weather Forecast:

Friday and Saturday look pristine—sunny, highs in the mid-70s, light winds. However, Sunday introduces a twist: a 60% chance of rain and stiff winds gusting up to 20mph are forecast. This suggests that the team leading after Saturday night will need to grind out the win in the Modified Four-Ball to claim the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational title.

Conclusion

As the sun sets over the coquina shells of Naples this Sunday, the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational will crown a champion, but the real winner is the sport of golf. In an era of fragmentation and tour politics, this week reminds us of the game’s unifying power. The 2025 season could not ask for a better finale.

Appendix: 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational – Team Reference Guide