The PGA Tour’s silly season remains in Florida as the circuit heads north from Naples to Orlando for the 24th edition of the PNC Championship.
Ironically, it will mark the PGA Tour’s second straight week at a Greg Norman-designed layout as the star-studded field will attempt to navigate the Ritz-Carlton’s challenging 7100 yards.
Tiger Woods, alongside son Charlie, will headline the two-day tournament. Co-stars include reigning PGA Champion Justin Thomas, and father Mike; three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and father Shawn; reigning Olympic Gold medalist Nelly Korda and father Petr; and defending champions John Daly and son John Jr.
Tournament Skinny
PNC Championship
Title Sponsor: PNC Financial Services
PGA Tour Debut: 1995
Owners: NBC Sports, IMG
Dates: Dec. 16-18, 2022
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Course: Ritz-Carlton GC
Format: Scramble (best shot)
Trophy: Wille Park Belts
Purse: $1,085,000
Winning Share: $200,000
TV Network: NBC, Golf Channel
2021 Champions: John Daly & John Daly Jr.
PNC Championship History
Debuting in 1995 as the Office Depot Father & Son Challenge at The Windsor Club, the 20 two-player teams initially consisted of a tour pro who’d won a major championship or The Players Championship, alongside their son – hence the Father/Son Challenge title.
Over the years, the rules were relaxed, allowing touring pros to team up with pretty much any family member including parents, children and even grandchildren.
Fuzzy Zoeller was the first to tweak the gender policy when he teamed up with daughter Gretchen in 2005, while in 2013, Arnold Palmer became the first to team with a grandchild when he played with grandson Sam Saunders.
The tour pro, however, still must own a Major or Players championship title, while the guest team member cannot be a touring professional at the time of the tournament.
The event is played over two days (36 holes), using a scramble format, with the winner awarded the Willie Park Trophy, in recognition of the father and son British Open champions Willie Park Sr. and Willie Park Jr.
Raymond Floyd and son Raymond Floyd Jr. won the inaugural trophy (1995) in a six-shot blowout. The duo went on to win the next two editions as well. The Hall-of-Famer Floyd returned to the winner’s circle in 2000 and 2001 – this time with younger son Robert. Floyd owns the record for most tournament victories with five.
Bernhard Langer (4), Larry Nelson (3) and Davis Love III (2) are the only others to have won multiple times. Floyd, Langer and Nelson are the only three champions to have won playing alongside different children.
Lee Trevino is the only player to have participated in all 23 editions. Floyd, Nelson and Hale Irwin each played the first 17.
After several years of primarily being an event comprised of senior circuit players and retired icons, the inclusion of superstars Tiger Woods (alongside son Charlie) and Justin Thomas (with father Mike) in 2020 sent fan interest in the year-end event through the roof.
The Thomas team, winners in 2020, became the first duo to claim victory with a father as the guest partner.
The defending champions are John Daly and son “Little John” Daly Jr.
History: Recent Winners
- John Daly, John Daly Jr. (2021)
- Jutin Thomas, Mike Thomas (2020)
- Bernhard Langer, Jason Langer (2019)
- Davis Love III, Dru Love (2018)
- Angel Cabrera, Angel Cabrera Jr. (2017)
History: Venues
- The Windsor Club, Vero Beach, FL (1995–1998)
- Twin Eagles GC, Naples, FL (1999)
- The Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas (2000–2002)
- Champions Gate Resort, Orlando, FL (2003–2008)
- Not Contested (2009–2011)
- Ritz Carlton GC, Orlando, FL (2012-Present)
PNC Championship: TV Schedule
Fri: 3:00-5:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)*
Sat: 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Peacock)
Sat: 2:00-6:00 p.m. (NBC)
Sun: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Peacock)
Sun: 12:30-1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Sun: 1:30-4:30 p.m. (NBC)
* Pro-Am
PNC Championship: Teams
- Stewart Cink & Connor Cink
- John Daly & John Daly, Jr.
- David Duval & Brady Duval
- Nick Faldo & Matt Faldo
- Jim Furyk & Tanner Furyk
- Padraig Harrington & Patrick Harrington
- Nelly Korda & Petr Korda
- Matt Kuchar & Carson Kuchar
- Bernhard Langer & Jason Langer
- Tom Lehman & Sean Lehman
- Justin Leonard & Luke Leonard
- Anika Sorenstam & Will McGee
- Mark O’Meara & Shaun O’Meara
- Gary Player & Jordan Player
- Nick Price & Greg Price
- Vijay Singh & Qass Singh
- Jordan Spieth & Shawn Spieth
- Justin Thomas & Mike Thomas
- Lee Trevino & Daniel Trevino
- Tiger Woods & Charlie Woods
