Grant Thornton Invitational To Feature 16 Teams
The tournament in Naples will showcase new pairings and rising golf stars this December.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Golf
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The Grant Thornton Invitational will bring 16 teams to Tiburon Golf Club in Naples from Dec. 11-13, 2026. Ten of the participating groups will feature new pairings between PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players.
Why it matters
The event continues to blend the professional tours, highlighting a mix of veteran talent and young athletes who have qualified through pathways like the Elite Amateur status.
The field features 16 teams, with 10 pairings marking new partnerships for this year. Jackson Koivun, 21, and Kiara Romero, 20, represent a young team with a combined age of 41.
The players
Nelly Korda
She is the current World No. 1 professional golfer on the LPGA Tour.
Lexi Thompson
She is a veteran professional golfer who has participated in the tournament for four consecutive years.
Lauren Coughlin
She is an LPGA Tour player and the defending champion of this event.
Andrew Novak
He is a PGA Tour player and the defending champion of this event.
Kiara Romero
She is a young golfer who qualified for the LPGA through the Elite Amateur Pathway.
The details
The event at Tiburon Golf Club will host notable players including World No. 1 Nelly Korda, alongside returnees like Lexi Thompson and defending champions Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak. The field also features 19-year-old Michael Brennan, with the tournament record sitting at 28 under.
Timeline
Dec. 11-13, 2026: The Grant Thornton Invitational will take place.
2024: Jake Knapp and Patty Tatakanavit previously won the event.
August 2026: Jake Knapp underwent surgery for a torn thumb ligament.
Season Trajectory
The tournament serves as a unique bridge between the PGA and LPGA tours, influencing how players prepare during the off-season. This event shifts the competitive balance by forcing players to adapt to team-based formats rather than individual stroke play.
Viewers can watch the event live on Golf Channel and NBC during the mid-December window. The inclusion of new pairings and young talent like 21-year-old Jackson Koivun provides a look at potential future stars to watch in fantasy rankings.
The takeaway
The Grant Thornton Invitational showcases the ongoing evolution of collaborative professional golf by pairing emerging amateurs with seasoned pros. Fans should look for how these newer, younger teams challenge the established records set by defending champions.
Further reading
Find more details on local professional events at the Golf section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GolfDigest.
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Would you be more likely to watch a professional golf tournament that features mixed-gender teams?
