OK, so it’s not exactly a new idea. A mixed-team event was on the PGA Tour and LPGA schedules most years from 1960 to 1999.
But for today’s players and newer golf fans, the Grant Thornton Invitational was a first and refreshing year-end addition in 2023. And, given the upheaval that surrounds the game, a much-needed distraction.
Jason Day, the highest-ranked PGA Tour player in the field, teamed with Lydia Ko to win the inaugural event at Tiburon Golf Club. Ko, who’d endured a hugely disappointing 2023, found something in the lead-up to the event and looked better than she had all season.
Lilia Vu and Joel Dahmen during the first round of the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club on December 08, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Douglas DeFelice/Getty Images)
With the Grant Thornton held at the same venue as the longstanding QBE Shootout, another unofficial limited-field event, it was easy to compare notes between the two. The mixed event had double the fans and concession sales than QBE, and the hospitality areas sold out.
Many of the PGA Tour players said they hoped that a successful Grant Thornton would lead to more opportunities between the men and women.
“There’s no reason we can’t have more mixed-team events,” said Joel Dahmen, who paired with World No. 1 Lilia Vu.
“There are so many events on the PGA Tour, ratings aren’t always amazing in some of those fields. To bring in the women’s game would be awesome.
“I was completely outclassed today by Lexi (Thompson).”