England’s Charley Hull and her partner Michael Brennan are just one shot off the lead heading into the final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational mixed-team event. They are competing against an impressive array of talent, including American duo Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak, who secured a strong 4-under 68 in the foursomes format. Coughlin notably made a dramatic bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 17th hole, propelling them to the top of the leaderboard at 19-under par.
Although Hull and Brennan had a great round, a three-putt bogey on the final hole—after Hull’s short putt lipped out—prevented them from sharing the lead going into the final round. “We played pretty steady,” Hull commented. “It was a shame I missed that short putt at the last, but it’s obviously a harder format, foursomes. We played decent today.” She expressed a strong camaraderie with Brennan, praising his game and indicating her intent to follow his progress on the PGA Tour.
Trailing just behind the leaders are Lexi Thompson and Wyndham Clark, who finished their day two shots back after a steady round of eight consecutive pars for a total of 72. The final round will feature a modified fourballs format, which typically leads to lower scores as players will alternate using each other’s golf balls.
Canadian duo Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners provided a noteworthy performance in the challenging foursomes, recording seven birdies during the round, though a bogey on the 18th left them three shots off the lead. They are joined by other notable pairings, including Nelly Korda and Denny McCarthy, and Jennifer Kupcho and Chris Gotterup, who each completed their rounds with a score of 70.
The Grant Thornton Invitational represents a unique co-sanctioned event featuring an equal mix of professionals from both the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour. Launched in 2023, this tournament marks the first collaboration of its kind since the JCPenney Classic in 1999, showcasing a fresh format and equal prize money for its competitors.
Fans can tune in to watch the exciting conclusion of the tournament live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning on Sunday at 6 PM. This event not only highlights the talent of both tours, but it also fosters collaboration within the sport, promising an engaging final round.