grant thornton invitational 2025

Grant Thornton Invitational 2025: A Sunday Showdown for the Ages

The final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational is set to deliver a thrilling conclusion to a week of elite mixed-team golf. As the tournament heads into its last 18 holes at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, the leaderboard is tightly packed, promising a dramatic race for the inaugural title of this unique PGA Tour and LPGA Tour collaboration.

The Sunday tee times are now official, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown where strategy, nerve, and partnership will be put to the ultimate test. With a $4 million purse on the line and the pride of representing their respective tours at stake, the world's best golfers are ready for a final-day sprint.

The Race to the Finish Line: A Crowded Leaderboard

According to official reports from GOLF.com, the final round will feature a marquee grouping of the top three teams, separated by just a single stroke. The pressure is immense, and the potential for swings on Tiburón's challenging Gold Course is significant.

The final pairing, scheduled to tee off at 10:52 AM ET, will feature the teams of Coughlin/Novak and Thompson/Clark. As reported by ESPN, Coughlin and Novak surged into a share of the lead thanks to a spectacular eagle from the bunker by Coughlin on the par-5 17th hole during Round 2. Their total of 17-under-par has them in the driver's seat, but they will be shadowed by a formidable duo.

Right behind them, at 16-under-par, are Lexi Thompson and Wyndham Clark. Thompson, a fan favorite known for her power, and Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, have been consistent all week. Their steady play positions them perfectly to pounce on any Sunday mistakes from the leaders. As ESPN noted, they are right in the mix to capture the title.

Just one stroke further back at 15-under-par is the third-place team of Megan Khang and Ben Taylor, who will be looking to capitalize on any chaos ahead of them. And not to be counted out, a strong Canadian contingent is also in the mix. The team of Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners, representing Canada with pride, sits at 12-under-par, tied for fourth place. As reported by TSN, their consistent performance keeps them within striking distance for a final-round charge.

Sunday Tee Times: The Path to Victory

The final round will be a shotgun start, with the leading groups occupying the most critical tee times of the day. Here are the key groupings for Sunday, as detailed by GOLF.com:

• 10:52 AM ET: Coughlin/Novak (-17) & Thompson/Clark (-16)
• 10:41 AM ET: Khang/Taylor (-15) & Kupcho/McDowell (-13)
• 10:30 AM ET: Henderson/Conners (-12) & Hull/Hadwin (-12)

This staggered format ensures that the leaders will be constantly aware of the scores behind them, creating a thrilling, real-time drama for fans watching around the world.

Context: The Return of a Golfing Spectacle

To fully appreciate the magnitude of the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational, one must understand its rich history. The event is a spiritual successor to the legendary JCPenney Classic, a popular mixed-team tournament that ran from 1960 to 1999. After a 26-year hiatus, the format was revived in 2023 to provide a unique, collaborative showcase for the PGA and LPGA Tours.

The Grant Thornton Invitational is more than just another tournament; it's a celebration of partnership and a bridge between the two premier tours in professional golf. It offers a rare opportunity to see superstars like Lexi Thompson and Wyndham Clark teaming up, combining their strengths and strategies in a format that emphasizes camaraderie as much as competition. This unique structure has quickly made it one of the most anticipated events on the global golf calendar, drawing massive viewership and buzz.

The Impact of a Final-Round Surge

For the players, the immediate effects of this tight race go beyond the winner's share of the $4 million purse. A victory here provides significant momentum heading into the rest of the season. For players like Clark, it's another opportunity to add a prestigious title to his resume. For Thompson, it's a chance to secure a significant win in a high-profile team setting.

Furthermore, the tournament's collaborative nature has a broader impact on the sport. It fosters goodwill and mutual respect between the tours and their players, which can lead to more cross-promotional opportunities and a stronger, more unified professional golf landscape. The success of the 2025 event, with its nail-biting finish, will undoubtedly set a high bar for future editions.

What to Expect on Championship Sunday

Based on the evidence from the first two rounds, the key to victory on Sunday will be navigating the challenging par-5s and avoiding costly errors on Tiburón's tricky green complexes. The Coughlin/Novak team has shown an ability to produce "wow" moments, like the bunker eagle, while the Thompson/Clark duo has relied on steady, error-free golf.

The Henderson/Conners team, a fan favorite especially among Canadian golf fans, has the talent and tee-to-green prowess to make a significant move. If they can get their putters hot, they could very well crash the party at the top of the leaderboard.

The final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational is not just the end of a tournament; it's the culmination of a week of partnership, skill, and drama. With the lead changing hands and multiple teams within a few strokes of the top, golf fans are guaranteed a Sunday finish they won't soon forget. All eyes will be on Naples, Florida, as these elite pairings battle for the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational title.