NAPLES (Fla.) – Tony Finau, Nelly Korda and the Grant Thornton Invitational’s first-ever leader are Tony Finau and Nelly Kodra. They parred just three holes on their opening day of 16-under-56. The 16 teams played scramble on the first day, in front of a crowd so generous it caught many players by surprise.
At Tiburon it was mutual admiration fest, as players raved about the things they saw for the first-time from their partners.
Korda said to Finau during their post-round press conference, “That squeezer 9, you hit on no. During their post-round conference, Korda told Finau that “17” was absolutely incredible.
Finau called Korda “clutch”, pointing out that Korda played second all day in order to be the closer for his team. Both Grant Thornton Ambassadors, they came together to form a team.
Nelly Korda, a US golfer, plays his first shot at the Tiburon Golf Course during the Grant Thornton Invitational on December 8, 2023 in Naples Florida. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images (Photo)
He said that when Nelly was following him around the course it made the game seem pretty easy. “She made the putts, and she clutched up when we needed to make them.”
The star pairing of Korda/Finau is one shot ahead of Leona McGuire/Lucas Glover, Megan Khang/Denny McCarthy who both shot 27 on their back nine. Maguire and Glover birdied their first 10 holes.
For the second round on Saturday, the format will be alternate shot.
It is the first time since 1999 that the PGA Tour has hosted a mixed tournament with the LPGA. For many of the players, it was their first experience competing alongside an LPGA pro.
Finau is a six-time winner of the PGA Tour. He partnered with Lexi Thompson in the QBE Shootout a few years back and Korda told him about a moment when he was between clubs at the ninth hole at Tiburon, into the wind.
Finau said, “Lexi pulled a 9-iron into the hole.” “I was somewhere between 8 and 9.” She hit a 9, but I couldn’t get an 8. They obviously hit the ball solidly, and very cleanly. They hit the ball a lot more straightly than men and than we do in our tour. They are just so solid. “I don’t know what else to call it.”
