Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand and Jake Knapp of the United States (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment, Elliott dives into PGA TOUR Q-School Finals results and the winning duo of Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp at the Grant Thornton Invitational.
Rising Talents Triumph: Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp Claim Victory at Grant Thornton
The Grant Thornton Invitational's final round saw impressive performances from two emerging talents, Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp, who clinched the title with a three-day total of 27 under par. The duo's rounds of 58-66-65 were enough to squeak out a one-stroke win over the Jeeno Thitikul and Tom Kim team. In the scramble portion of the event, Tavatanakit and Knapp's opening round of 14-under par 58 was unquestionably the catalyst to their victory.
Over the weekend, team Thitikul and Kim went an impressive 16 under par with back-to-back 64s on Saturday and Sunday. Although the Kim-Tavatanakit pairing did not walk away victorious, their partnership was a testament to how you play in this type of event. Their chemistry was fun to watch, particularly on Saturday during the always tricky alternate shot format where they shot an 8-under par 64, two shots better than anyone that day.
Kupcho and Bhatia Fall Short
Despite a strong start—an opening round 59—Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia couldn't sustain their momentum on Saturday during the alternate shot portion of the event. Their 4-under par 68 that round slid them back to third, three back from the 36-hole leaders. However, on Sunday, they had a chance after a strong front nine 6-under par 30 put them in a back-and-forth dogfight with Tavatanakit and Knapp. After a long eagle putt dropped for Bhatia on the par five 17th, he and partner Kupcho went one up on Tavatanakit and Knapp, playing two holes behind. An unfortunate bogey on the last dropped the Kupcho and Bhatia team back to 25 under, which was still good enough for the clubhouse lead at that time. Birdies on the 16th and 17th by Tavatanakit and Knapp would eventually seal the deal for them, and team Kupcho and Bhatia would have to settle for third, two back from the top spot after the dust settled.
A Great Way to End 2024
After the round, fellow UCLA alums Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp reflected on their win.
"It was nice to put the cherry on top of my 2024 season to win my last event of the year. And to be able to do it alongside Jake, it's just been so fun, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner," Tavatanakit said.
Knapp added, "Great way to end the year before Christmas. I feel like in an event like this, you never really know what your partner's going to be like when you haven't met them before, and I feel like I couldn't have gotten a better partner. I feel like we got along perfectly. The energy was the same. It was a really, really fun week."
Lanto Griffin Claims Victory at Q-School
This year's PGA TOUR Q-School Finals culminated with Lanto Griffin capturing medalist honors with a decisive 9-under-par 271 total, three clear of second-place finisher Hayden Buckley. Griffin, the 2019 Houston Open winner, showcased his impressive skills and resilience across four challenging days, with two rounds contested at Sawgrass Country Club and two at the treacherous TPC Sawgrass's Dye Valley Course, ultimately securing his card for the 2025 season. His final round of 7-under par 63 included a blistering front nine 29, where he made four birdies and an eagle.
Achieving the Dream: New PGA TOUR Members
Q-School isn't just about one winner; it's a battleground for many aspiring professionals eager to join the elite PGA TOUR ranks. Six players emerged victorious this year in that quest, earning their much-coveted 2025 PGA TOUR cards. Alongside Lanto Griffin, Hayden Buckley, Takumi Kanaya, Alejandro Tosti, Will Chandler, and Matthew Riedel successfully navigated some of the nerviest four days in professional golf to secure their spots.
Guaranteed Korn Ferry Tour Starts for 49 Players
Apart from those stepping onto the PGA TOUR, the Q-School Finals also provided a significant opportunity for others looking to make their mark within the PGA TOUR system, namely through the ranks of the Korn Ferry Tour. This year, 49 players earned guaranteed starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, including familiar names such as Nick Watney and Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey. Other names include Doc Redman, Austin Cook, and Pierceson Coody, whose grandfather, Charles Coody, was the 1971 Masters champion.
These guaranteed spots afford a valuable platform for these players to continue honing their skills and potentially graduate to the PGA TOUR. The depth of talent among the ranks is notable, with players eagerly chasing their professional golf dreams.
A Stage of Intense Competition and Opportunity
Q-School Finals is known for its high stakes and intense competition, as players compete not only for a PGA TOUR card but also for a stable future within the professional ranks. This year's field showcased exceptional talent and a lot of determination, with many players rising to the occasion, from fresh faces to grizzled veterans. For Lanto Griffin and the others who earned their PGA TOUR cards, their success reflects their hard work and dedication to the sport.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
