Nelly Korda's Fun Pairing and Tom Kim's Tiger Woods Praise at Grant Thornton Invitational
The Grant Thornton Invitational brought exciting partnerships and memorable moments during Saturday's play in Naples, Florida, despite unexpected rain. Two standout teams emerged: Nelly Korda/Daniel Berger and Tom Kim/Jeeno Thitikul.
Korda and Berger kept their team name private, claiming it was "a bit over the top." During their post-round interview, Korda playfully mentioned she would "star" Berger on her PGA Tour app as a compliment to his performance. The duo shared interesting insights about each other - Korda's unique pre-game routine of not hitting shots 30 minutes before tee time, her love for dogsledding, and Berger's journey to reach 185 pounds through consistent PB&J consumption on course.
Tom Kim and Jeeno Thitikul stood out as the only team coordinating outfits throughout the tournament. Thitikul chose their colors for Friday and Saturday, while Kim gets the final round selection. Their chemistry was evident on the course, reminiscent of high school team golf dynamics.
A highlight came when Kim's caddie, Paul Tesori, nicknamed Thitikul "Jeeno Woods." Kim explained they chose between "Jeeno Scheffler" and "Jeeno Woods," ultimately selecting the latter in reference to Tiger Woods's 82 wins and 15 majors, praising Thitikul's outstanding performance.
The Grant Thornton Invitational concludes today, with the PNC Championship following next week, featuring Team Woods and Team Korda among others.
Note: This article focuses on observational highlights from the Grant Thornton Invitational's Saturday play, showcasing team dynamics and memorable moments from the mixed-team event.