Lydia Ko hit a fairway metal to 8 feet to set up the birdie she and Jason Day needed to win the Grant Thornton Invitational. They closed with a 6-under 66 in modified fourballs to capture the first mixed-team event in 24 years.
Playing the par-5 17th hole, Ko and Day were tied with the Canadian duo of Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson, who had to settle for two closing pars and a 63.
The format allowed for both players to hit tee shots, then switch to the other player’s golf ball and finish out the hole. Day was in a bunker left of the green at the par-5 17th, no easy up-and-down. Ko had 208 into a slight wind and her fairway metal never left its target. It landed near the hole and rolled out about 8 feet. Her eagle putt never had a chance, but the hard work was done. Both secured easy pars on the 18th to finish at 26-under 190.
It was the first time the PGA Tour and LPGA had a mixed-team event since the JC Penney Classic in 1999.
Ludvig Aberg, the sensational rookie to won on the PGA Tour and European tour and played in the Ryder Cup since turning pro in June, teamed with fellow Swede Madelene Sagstrom to post a 60 in the final round. They finished third.
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
Bradenton: Toms, Andrade Secure Late Points, Americans Win Inaugural World Champions Cup. Andrade, replacing Furyk, birdied to earn crucial points. Toms’ birdie secured the lead, and Goosen’s double bogey sealed the victory. The U.S. team finished with 221 points, surpassing the international team (219) and Europe (208). Jerry Kelly led with 61 points
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
Abu Dhabi: Samooja, Vincent, and Kozuma secure spots on LIV Golf rosters for 2024. Samooja leads with 8-under 136, while Vincent and Kozuma clinch spots in a playoff. Canter settles for Asian Tour exemptions. Chappell and Trainer also secure exemptions in the International Series.
