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PNC Father/Son Challenge: The final “major” of the year

By Kathlene Bissell

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 04: Gary Nicklaus, Jr. celebrates hitting a hole-in-one on the ninth tee with his grandfather Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson during the Par 3 Contest prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 04: Gary Nicklaus, Jr. celebrates hitting a hole-in-one on the ninth tee with his grandfather Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson during the Par 3 Contest prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The PNC Father/Son Challenge is one of golf’s best events, bringing generations of golfers together in the way so many learned the game in the first place. And while it might not even be an “official” event, most of the players will compare it to a major in their own eyes.

It might not be a major in the eyes of history, but ask any of the competitors in the PNC Father/Son Challenge, and they will tell you that this one is big. One reason, of course, is that many of the competing PGA Tour pros and former PGA Tour players have a chance to compete with a family member.  A victory with a family member in this 36-hole, family-oriented tournament is something that money can’t buy.  That’s why they call it a major in their eyes.

Last spring Jack Nicklaus spoke about the event which he played with grandson GT (Gary Nicklaus, Jr.) .

“The PNC Father/Son Challenge long ago became one of my family’s favorite golf tournaments,” Nicklaus said. “I have had the pleasure of playing with my sons, and last year, partnering with my 15-year-old grandson GT was a thrill.”

Many will remember when GT made a hole in one in the par 3 contest at the Masters last April.  Nicklaus cried.

In the past, when Nicklaus’ sons have participated in the PNC Father/Son, they have held their own tournament to see who got to play with dad. Lowest score won the honor.  Now that it has become a Nicklaus and grandchild pairing, they will surely spread it around since Jack and Barbara Nicklaus have more than 20 grandchildren.

The PGA Tour, in its pre-tournament notes, boasts that the field of 20 partnerships has 800 victories, including 56 majors. When you look at who is playing, you can see it’s no exaggeration.

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In addition to the Nicklaus/ GT pairing, there are many famous fathers or sons participating. There’s also a daughter, Jackie Langer John playing with dad Bernhard.

Nick Price is partnering with his son Greg.

Vijay Singh will play with son Qass.

Lee Trevino, once again, is joining his son Daniel.

Mark O’Meara will play with his son Shaun.

In an interesting twist, Jim Furyk will play with his father Mike. Last year, Justin Leonard played with his father, Larry. Demonstrating that the Players is truly a major, Matt Kuchar is also in the field, playing with his father, Peter.

In the Father/Son trivia department, here are some notable performances in the event, which is a scramble format:

The 18-hole tournament record for either round is 15-under-par 57, held by Raymond Floyd and Ray Floyd, Jr. , and Bob Charles and his son David Charles.  Both were at Windsor Club.

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The 36-hole record with the scramble format is 25-under par, 119. Four teams share that mark: Bob Charles and David Charles, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd, Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson, and Angel Cabrera and Angel Cabrera, Jr.

All multiple PGA Tour/PGA Tour Champions PNC Father/Son champs won with different children. Langer won with sons Stefan and Jason. Floyd found the victory circle three times with his son, Raymond Floyd, Jr., and he also won with his son Robert Floyd. Nelson won with Drew Nelson and also with Josh Nelson.

Full PNC Father/Son Challenge Teams List

Stewart Cink/Connor Cink

Darren Clarke/Tyrone Clarke

John Daly/Little John Daly

David Duval/Brady Duval

Nick Faldo/Matthew Faldo

Jim Furyk/Mike Furyk

Retief Goosen/Leo Goosen

Lee Janzen/Connor Janzen

Tom Kite/David Kite

Matt Kuchar/Peter Kuchar

Bernhard Langer/Jackie Langer John

Davis Love III/Dru Love

Jack Nicklaus/GT Nicklaus

Greg Norman/Greg Norman, Jr.

Mark O’Meara/Shaun O’Meara

Jerry Pate/Wesley Pate

Nick Price/Greg Price

Vijay Singh/Qass Singh

David Toms/Carter Toms

Lee Trevino/Daniel Trevino

For more information on the tournament, and to keep up with the leaderboard, visit the PNC Father/Son Challenge‘s official site.

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