Jake Knapp and Patty Tavatanakit have taken the lead at the Grant Thornton Invitational. Here’s a summary of their performance:
- First Round: Knapp and Tavatanakit played exceptionally well in the scramble format, birdieing every hole on the front nine and finishing with an eagle-birdie on the back nine for a total score of 14-under 58. The duo will take a one-shot lead into Saturday’s round which will feature foursomes (alternate shot).
- Performance Details: Their round was highlighted by a particularly strong start, as the lead pair reeled off nine straight birdies on the front nine, setting a torrid pace. They cooled off slightly on the back nine but still managed to secure the lead with strategic play, including an eagle on 17 followed by critical birdie on No 18.
- Eagle on the 17th: One of the standout moments was on the par-5 17th hole with Knapp hit a towering shot to set up an eagle. This performance on 17 demonstrated Knapp’s power and Tavatanakit’s ability to capitalize on excellent positioning.
- Closing Birdie on 18: Tavatanakit made a crucial birdie putt on the 18th hole, ensuring a 14-under 58 finish. This birdie was pivotal in securing a one-shot lead over the field, highlighting Tavatanakit’s clutch performance under pressure.
Background:
- Jake Knapp: Coming off his first PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open earlier in the year, Knapp has shown that he can compete at the highest level. His experience in the scramble format was crucial for their performance.
- Patty Tavatanakit: Known for winning her first major as a rookie at the ANA Inspiration, Tavatanakit’s skill and composure were evident as they led the team. She also had a successful 2024 season, including a win at the Honda LPGA Thailand on her home soil.
- Tournament Context: The Grant Thornton Invitational is a mixed-team event, featuring 16 two-player teams comprised of one player each from the PGA Tour and the LPGA. The format for the first round was scramble, followed by foursomes (alternate shot) for the second round, and a modified four-ball for the third round.
- Leaderboard Highlight: Knapp and Tavatanakit hold a narrow one-shot lead over the twosome of Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia, and Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners.
Quotes:
- Jake Knapp: “Yeah, I think we kind of ham-and-egged it there on the front nine for a while, but at the same time I think we both just hit a lot of solid shots, had a lot of good looks and kind of fed off each other in terms of if somebody didn’t hit a good shot. There wasn’t really much strategy necessarily, it was more just try to go hit good golf shots and try to put ourselves in good opportunities and we were able to do that.”
- Patty Tavatanakit: “I feel like we kept it pretty chill, we just talked about random things. I feel like I haven’t played golf like this free in a while, so it is actually a really nice feeling. I feel very secure out there because I know I have a really good partner.”
Grant Thornton Invitational: Top-5
Leaderboard: Day 1
1. Tavatanakit / Knapp -14 (58)
2. Kupcho / Bhatia -13 (59)
2. Henderson / Conners -13 (59)
4. Stark / Poston -11 (61)
4. Corpuz / Theegala -11 (61)
Full leaderboard at PGATour.com
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