LPGA star Lexi Thompson will crash the party for the second straight year at the QBE Shootout, teaming with Tony Finau to form a pairing that won’t lack any firepower off the tee.
Currently No. 4 in the Rolex Rankings, Thompson made her debut in the team event last year when she paired with Bryson DeChambeau while becoming the first female participant since Annika Sorenstam in 2006. This time she’ll play alongside Finau, one of the Tour’s longest drivers who advanced to the Tour Championship for the first time in September.
Other teams in the 24-person field include defending champs Matt Kuchar and Harris English, as well as two other repeat pairings: Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele, winners in 2011, and Presidents Cup teammates Kevin Chappell and Kevin Kisner.
Invitation criteria for the unofficial PGA Tour event changed this year. In addition to the defending team, tournament officials invited the top 12 committed pros from last season’s FedExCup standings in addition to 10 exemptions, at least four of which went to players inside the top 40 on the Tour’s career money list.
Rounding out the field will be the following eight teams: Bubba Watson with Brandt Snedeker, Zach Johnson with Charley Hoffman, Daniel Berger with Gary Woodland, Jason Dufner with Billy Horschel, Pat Perez with Brian Harman, Russell Henley with Kyle Stanley, Steve Stricker with Sean OHair and Graeme McDowell with Shane Lowry.
The 54-hole event features a scramble format during the first round, with modified alternate shot in Round 2 and better ball during the third and final round. The tournament will be held Dec. 8-10 at Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla., which is hosting the event for the 17th time.
Source: Internet
