This year’s PNC Championship is set to kick off on Friday, December 15th. It’s a unique tournament in the world of golf as we see 20 top golfers and their families come together for some amazing golf and even better family time. Each pro golfer chooses one family member to take on the Grand Lakes Orlando course with them and give the spectators something to really cheer for.
Since 1995 (when the tournament was originally called the Father and Son Tournament). Here’s Everything to know about the PNC Classic Tournament with details given here.
The 36-hole, two-day tournament has been played in loving memory of father and son golfers Willie Park Sr and Willie Park Jr. Surprisingly, this tournament is not one of the more well-known ones, so if this is all new information to you, don’t fret. We’ll share our PNC predictions, information about the players, and the course with you so that you have a better understanding of the fun that will be kicking off in mid-December.
Tournament History
As we mentioned, this tournament started out as a memorial to father and son golfers Willie Park Sr and Jr. The British Open champions were beloved golfers in their day, and the tournament’s spirit is the perfect way to honor their memories.
The title was changed from Father and Son to PNC in 2020 to encourage more inclusivity of non-male family members. To make it into the tournament, the qualifying (pro) player must have a major championship or a Players Championship under their belt. Guest players can be anywhere from middle school to senior citizens and sometimes include retired or up-and-coming golfers. They may not be a touring pros when the event is played.
The Players
Teams are hoping to take home the coveted Willie Park trophy and the generous prize pot, which is sitting at a cool $1,085,000. This year’s list of players is a who’s who of some of the biggest names in golf. One thing is certain: it will be a tough climb to the top. The defending champions, John Daly and John Daly II aren’t planning to let go of their title if they can help it. Tiger Woods and his son Charlie, last year’s runners-up, are back again with their eyes on the prize, along with Nelly and Petr Korda and a host of other talented teams. Here’s a full list of all the pro players and their partners:
- Stewart and Connor Clink
- John Daly and John Daly II
- David and Brady Duval
- Nick and Matthew Faldo
- Jim and Tanner Furyk
- Padraig and Patrick Harrington
- Nelly and Petr Korda
- Matt and Carson Kuchar
- Bernard and Jason Langer
- Tom and Sean Lehman
- Justin and Luke Leonard
- Mark and Sean O’Meara
- Gary and Jordan Player
- Nick and Grey Price
- Vijay and Quass Singh
- Annika Sorenstam and Will McGee
- Jordan and Shawn Spieth
- Justin and Mike Thomas
- Lee and Daniel Trevino
- Tiger and Charlie Woods
Our Predictions
Naturally, we already have a few favorites picked, so if you’re betting on this tournament, what comes next is information that you won’t want to miss! Tiger Woods would usually be an obvious shoo-in, but since he has withdrawn from his last two tournaments due to health concerns, we can’t be sure of what his performance will be like this December.
Lee and Daniel Trevino
We’ve seen Lee in every edition of this tournament, and he’s coming in on an excellent playing streak. He and Daniel will be after their first win and have a good chance if they play smart.
Justin and Mike Thomas
This father and son duo took home the cup in 2020, so they’ve had a taste of that win, and they’re looking for more. They’re in good shape, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the course.
Gary and Jordan Player
Gary Player and his antics! We just can’t wait to see him and Jordan try for their first win this year.
Bernard and Jason Langer
Since Langer has already taken home this particular trophy four times, including twice with Jason at his side, he’s certainly one of our top picks to take it home again. If he takes home a fifth win, he’ll tie with Raymond Floyd for the most wins in the event’s history.
Wrap Up
The PNC is, without a doubt, the tournament with the biggest heart. Fans worldwide can’t wait to see these pros take to the course with their family members and have a great time together, playing some great golf.
