The Associated Press reported that a mixed-team event will finally return to the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour schedules. The QBE Shootout will adopt the format starting in 2023. Doug Ferguson, AP’s Managing Editor, notes that players were made aware of the changes at a meeting in the Bahamas last week during the Hero World Challenge.
John Daly, Laura Davies and Laura Williams won the JCPenney Classic at Innisbrook 1999, the last mixed-team event sponsored by the LPGA/PGA Tour. Brittany Lincicome still has a good memory of it. She was raised in Palm Harbor, Florida and served as standard bearer for the event from age 12 through 16.
Both Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda will be participating in the QBE at Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida. This is the site of the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship. This week’s purse is $3.8million, and each team will receive a check for $950,000. The field has 24 participants.
This is the first time that two LPGA players have been in the field. Korda will make her debut at the event, and will be paired up with Denny McCarthy. Thompson will be paired with Maverick McNealy.
All you need to know about the 2022 QBE Shootout
John Daly and Laura Davies in action at the JCPenney Classic at Westin Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida 1998. (Photo: Vincent Laforet /Allsport)
The mixed-team event’s history dates back to 1960 when it was created by the Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome. It was won by the great Mickey Wright and Dave Ragan in ’61 as well as ’63. The JCPenney has had many notable winners, including Curtis Strange/Nancy Lopez (1980), Tom Kite/Beth Daniel (2001) and Fred Couples/Jan Stephenson ( 1983). It was also won by Daniel with Davis Love III (1990) and 1995.
Kelli Kuehne’s memorable pro debut was at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course 1996 when she paired up with Tiger Woods in matching red and black Nike outfits.
A winner’s check of $425,000 is a lot for women’s golf, as many LPGA purses fall below $2 million. It will be interesting to observe if other A-list PGA Tour players join the team to support the women at this unofficial event. Max Homa is currently the No. 16 is the top-ranked player on the field.
