The QBE shootout features 24 players divided into 12 teams. The 12 teams then go on to battle it out until one champion duo is left standing. This year’s shootout began with its pro-am event on the 6th of December. The 24 players now pair up to compete against each other on the course today. Among the intensely competitive pairs is one between LPGA star, Lexi Thompson and PGA Tour star, Maverick McNealy.
The event follows a three-round format over three days. The first day the teams play in a scramble, followed by a modified alternate shot on the second day, and the four ball format on the final day. The shootout is underway at the Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Resort in Naples.
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The duo sat down post the pro-am meet for an interview where they were asked about their thoughts on the course, and the challenges they would face. The two also discussed their excitement to play at the shootout, and how team events like this were uncommon on the tours.
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The reporter went on to ask the pair if they had ever played with each other before or if they knew much about each other’s games. The duo shook their heads in sync, and Lexi then went on to add, with a smile on her face and her cheeks flushed, “I know he’s good.” McNealy returned the praise laughing and said, “I know she’s won ten times, so that’s good.”
Lexi Thompson and Maverick McNealy’s performances this year
Both golfers are currently 27 years old, and McNealy has yet to win on the PGA Tour. Lexi, on the other hand, has 11 career victories, including one major. She has been on a dry spell on the LPGA Tour for the past three years, coming close multiple times. This year alone, Lexi placed second in four different events on the tour.
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Despite not winning on the LPGA Tour, Thompson grabbed a win this year at the Aramco team series in New York, where she topped the individual leaderboard, beating Brooke Henderson and Madelene Sagstorm by three strokes.
McNealy, on the other hand, hasn’t come as close this year. But has already had two top-10 finishes since the start of the 2022-2023 season in September. This is his first time at the QBE shootout, whereas Lexi has already played at the event five times before. Despite her appearance record, Lexi has yet to conquer the event. She is definitely hoping she will be able to do so alongside McNealy this year.
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Will the duo be able to secure themselves a much-needed win at the unofficial PGA Tour event? Tune in to find out.