UCLA teammates stole the show at the Grant Thornton Invitational Saturday, with Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp shooting a impressive 6-under 66 to take a two-shot lead in Naples.
The duo, now at 20-under overall, showed why they’re such a dangerous team. Tavatanakit kept sinking clutch birdie putts while Knapp turned into a par-saving machine when things got dicey.
“It was a grind,” said Tavatanakit, who’s already got a major championship under her belt from the ANA Inspiration. “We’re two good grinders. It’s fun to be able to do it, being out of position and saving par and converting birdies when we had to.”
The weather wasn’t making things easy, with rain showing up throughout the day at Tiburon Golf Club.
But that didn’t stop Tavatanakit from delivering when it mattered most. She drained an 18-footer on the 16th to break a tie with their closest competitors, Tom Kim and Jeeno Thitikul, who sit two shots back after posting a 64.
Then came the magic on 17. After Knapp pushed his 6-iron way right, Tavatanakit had to deal with a muddy ball. No problem – she pulled off an incredible pitch over a bunker that set up another birdie.
Kim and Thitikul aren’t going away quietly. Thitikul, fresh off winning $4 million at last month’s CME Group Tour Championship, showed her touch with a clutch bunker shot on 16 to keep them in the hunt.
Akshay Bhatia and Jennifer Kupcho are lurking three shots back after shooting 68.
The defending champs aren’t out of it either. Lydia Ko and Jason Day posted a solid 67 and sit just five shots off the lead.
Sunday’s final round switches to modified fourball, where both players hit their tee shots and then play their partner’s ball through to the hole. With the format change and several teams in striking distance, we’re set up for an exciting finish in Naples.
