Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp emerged victorious at the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational held at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
The dynamic duo, who have both experienced success earlier this year, showcased their skills throughout the tournament to secure the win, splitting a $1 million prize from the $4 million purse.
With this being only the second edition of the Grant Thornton Invitational, expectations were high following last year’s inaugural event, which saw Jason Day and Lydia Ko take home the title. This year, 20 teams comprised of stars from the PGA Tour and LPGA competed, each hoping to leave their mark.
The mixed-team format, which included pairs of one male and one female golfer, added another layer of excitement. Tavatanakit and Knapp, both graduates of UCLA, logged impressive performances throughout the three rounds, recording finishes of 14-under, 6-under, and 7-under, culminating with stunning scores of 58, 66, and 65 respectively.
“I tried to give Jake security out there and tell him to send it,” Tavatanakit remarked after their final-round performance.
They not only claimed the first-place prize but did so with remarkable style; their final score of 27-under-par eclipsed the previous winning score set by Day and Ko. The win also marked Tavatanakit’s third victory of the season, solidifying her standing as one of the leading competitors on the LPGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Knapp, who grabbed the spotlight earlier this season at the Mexico Open, enjoyed the perfect end to his rookie year on the PGA Tour. Each golfer took home $500,000, and to the delight of the competitors, every player who finished the tournament was guaranteed compensation, with even the last-place team earning $120,000.
The second-place finishers, Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim, received $560,000 for their efforts, just one stroke behind the winners. Their lifelong dreams of professional golf continue to inspire, as each pairing brought familiarity and personal stories to the course.
The third spot was claimed by Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia, who collectively earned $330,000, as the competition remained tight throughout the leaderboard.
Following the event, various participants shared their experiences and the strategies they employed. The tournament format included different styles each day: starting with scramble on Friday, transitioning to alternate shot on Saturday, and concluding with modified four-ball on Sunday.
This innovative format drew attention not just from fans, but also from commercial sponsors and advertisers eager to tie their names to the excitement of mixed-gender competition.
Looking back, Tavatanakit noted her desire to play well for her teammate: “I feel like Jake was like the biggest help... I was so stressed out.” She credited his support as pivotal to her performance.
Knapp’s praise for Tavatanakit was equally high, recognizing their camaraderie throughout the week which assisted their winning move. “I feel like I couldn't have got a more perfect partner,” he stated, emphasizing the strength of their partnership.
While the competition allowed for significant financial gains, it also offered points and perks. Notably, winners will not gain FedEx Cup points, nor CME Globe points, due to the event’s classification, but it does bestow other benefits, including exemptions for the next year’s tournament.
The Grant Thornton Invitational has quickly established itself as a unique and compelling event on the golfing calendar, allowing both men’s and women’s tours to showcase their talents together. Players from across the golfing community participated, headlined by famed athletes like Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson, and Corey Conners.
The buzz generated at this year’s event substantiates the excitement surrounding mixed-gender tournaments and could lead to more opportunities and events of this nature, marrying community, competition, and equality.
Below is the full breakdown of the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational’s prize money distribution:
1. Patty Tavatanakit / Jake Knapp: $1 million
2. Jeeno Thitikul / Tom Kim: $560,000
3. Jennifer Kupcho / Akshay Bhatia: $330,000
4. Brooke Henderson / Corey Conners: $250,000
5. Celine Boutier / Matthieu Pavon: $215,000
6. Lydia Ko / Jason Day: $190,000
T-7. Lauren Coughlin / Cameron Young: $175,000
T-7. Andrea Lee / Max Greyserman: $175,000
T-9. Maja Stark / J.T. Poston: $155,000
T-9. Megan Khang / Matt Kuchar: $155,000
T-11. Lilia Vu / Luke List: $142,500
T-11. Allisen Corpuz / Sahith Theegala: $142,500
13. Nelly Korda / Daniel Berger: $135,000
14. Lexi Thompson / Rickie Fowler: $130,000
15. Mel Reid / Cameron Champ: $125,000
16. Gabriela Ruffels / Nick Dunlap: $120,000
The success of the Grant Thornton Invitational signals the future of golf’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation, shaping the way for future generations of golfers.
