PNC Father/Son Challenge: Nicklaus, Norman, Daly headline event

The PNC Father/Son Challenge is an opportunity for some of the sport’s legends to compete again, perhaps alongside the next generation of greats.

For some of the legends who play in the PNC Father/Son Challenge, like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Lanny Wadkins, Curtis Strange, Greg Norman and Nick Price, no matter how many trophies they have collected, this is their biggest tournament of the year because they are playing with their sons or grandsons. They play in few competitive events in a 12-month period, but most of them would not miss this.

The rest of the impressive field, including the likes of Bernhard Langer, Tom Lehman, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, Tom Kite, Mark O’Meara, John Daly and others, are still active on one or more tours. And the rest are in between still competing regularly and reducing their schedules. Yet this event offers them something no other one does: a chance to participate alongside their children.

This season, there’s new blood in the younger set.
Jack Nicklaus becomes the second competitor to play with a grandson, 15-year-old grandson, Gary “G.T.” Nicklaus, Jr.

"“It is pretty special to have the opportunity to play with my grandson, G.T.,” said Nicklaus in a statement released by the tournament. “I remember fondly watching my friend Arnold when he played the Father/Son with his grandsons, Sam and then Will, and how meaningful it was for him. It’s been special for me to play in the Father/Son with all of my boys, and now all of a sudden, I am able to play with a grandson. I feel very fortunate.”"

With five children and somewhere north of 20 grandchildren, Nicklaus has youngsters available to play as long as he wants to and is able to compete.

Greg Norman, who hosted the QBE ShootOut last week, will return to the PNC Father/Son for the first time since 2008. He is again playing with his son Gregory.

“He can shoot anywhere from a 69 and probably mid-70, depends, and he hits it like 330, which is good,” Norman said about his son during the QBE ShootOut.

“I’m looking forward to playing with him because he’s really, really excited about it. He’s been practicing every day, wanting to do well. So that’s why I’ve been trying to practice every day just to sharpen my game from zero to one or two, which would be great for him,” Norman added.

In a new twist, Justin Leonard, winner of the 1997 British Open, will play with his father, Larry. No competitor has ever done that before.

According to Leonard, Molly Solomon, Executive Producer at Golf Channel, suggested it to him during the Presidents Cup.

"“I was planning to work the Father/Son for NBC, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to be invited. She gave me the option to play or commentate,” Leonard said in a statement furnished by the tournament. “I ran it by my dad and he didn’t hesitate to say yes. I thought he might worry about playing in front of people, but he was excited.”"

Padraig Harrington will make his debut with son Paddy – whose favorite sport is rugby, not golf. However, being in the tournament has caused Paddy to up his golf practice.

Padraig’s favorite golf memory with his son is after first his British Open victory in 2007 when Paddy, then three, ran up to his dad and asked if he could put ladybugs in the trophy. After this week, they are sure to make some lasting on-course memories, which is really the basis of this tournament.

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The one thing all the professionals have in common is that, as a group, they are prolific winners. They have won 60 major championships and at least 499 tournaments around the world. You have to say at least because some victories are counted on some tours and not on others. Who knows what was in that 499 number. It might be an under count. Nicklaus has 117 worldwide victories. Norman has 88.

Professional players in the tournament must have won a major championship or the Players. Their partners must not hold a PGA Tour card.

Raymond Floyd has the record for Father/Son victories with five, two titles with Robert and three with Raymond Jr. After that, it’s Bernhard Langer and Larry Nelson with three titles each.

Last year’s winners, David Duval and Nick Karavites, will return to defend their title.

The tournament is a 36-hole scramble format and will be televised on NBC and Golf Channel.

Next: Rickie Fowler looking for career year in 2018

Teams:
1. Angel Cabrera / Angel Cabrera Jr.
2. Stewart Cink / Connor Cink.
3. John Daly / Little John Daly
4. David Duval / Nick Karavites
5. Nick Faldo / Matthew Faldo
6. Fred Funk / Taylor Funk
7. Retief Goosen / Leo Goosen
8. Padraig Harrington / Paddy Harrington
9. Lee Janzen/ Connor Janzen
10. Tom Kite / David Kite
11. Bernhard Langer/ Jason Langer
12. Tom Lehman / Thomas Lehman
13. Justin Leonard / Larry Leonard (Dad)
14. Jack Nicklaus / Gary Nicklaus Jr.
15. Greg Norman / Greg Norman Jr.
16. Mark O’Meara / Shaun O’Meara
17. Jerry Pate / Wesley Pate
18. Nick Price / Greg Price
19. Lee Trevino / Daniel Trevino
20. Lanny Wadkins / Travis Wadkins

Past Champions of the Father/Son Challenge

1995 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.
1996 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.
1997 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.
1998 – Bob Charles and David Charles
1999 – Jack Nicklaus and Gary Nicklaus
2000 – Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd
2001 – Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd
2002 – Craig Stadler and Kevin Stadler
2003 – Hale Irwin and Steve Irwin
2004 – Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson
2005 – Bernhard Langer and Stefan Langer
2006 – Bernhard Langer and Stefan Langer
2007 – Larry Nelson and Josh Nelson
2008 – Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson
2012 – Davis Love III and Davis “Dru” Love IV
2013 – Stewart Cink and Connor Cink
2014 – Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer
2015 – Lanny Wadkins and Tucker Wadkins
2016 – David Duval and Nick Karavites