FINAL FIELD ANNOUNCED FOR 2019 PNC FATHER SON CHALLENGE

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, Nov. 18, 2019 – All 20 teams are now confirmed for the 22nd edition of the PNC Father Son Challenge with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson leading the 12 hall of famers set to compete for the coveted prize at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes, from Dec. 5 – 8.

A member of each of the 20 teams boasts a major title on their resume with Jack Nicklaus contributing a record-breaking 18 to the field total of 79. Widely considered as the greatest champion in the men’s game, Nicklaus is joined by one of the greatest female champions, Annika Sorenstam. Ten-time major champion and former World No. 1, Annika joins the line up as the first female professional to compete in the tournament and, as a trailblazer of game, adds this milestone to her list of records including being the first female to shoot 59 in competition.

Individually, the final field shares more than 700 worldwide titles as well as 192 Champions Tour wins, with the all-time Champions Tour wins leader Hale Irwin, returning to this event after a two-year hiatus. In addition to tournament victories, the tournament hosts seven former World No. 1 players.

As team players, the line-up has made 71 Ryder Cup and 8 Solheim Cup appearances and 38 Presidents Cup showings, while eight players have also played the role of Ryder Cup captain with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, joining the exclusive list next September as Team Europe’s captain. Annika also captained Team Europe in 2017.

Former PNC Father Son Challenge champions, Nicklaus, Langer, Irwin and Duval return to attempt to add another Willie Park Trophy to their cabinet. Langer tees it up alongside his son Jason for the fourth time, having won together in 2014 while Irwin returns with his son Steve for the 20th time, having won in 2003.

Runners up last time out, Retief Goosen and John Daly are back with sons Leo and Little John respectively while last year’s debutant Jim Furyk, heads back to Orlando as the only Son Father combination alongside his father and coach, Mike.

Lee Trevino keeps his consecutive streak alive as the only player to have patricipated in every Father Son Challenge since the inaugural event in 1995. He’s paired with his son, Daniel.

Commenting on the field, Alastair Johnston, Executive Chairman, PNC Father Son Challenge, added, “Every year we host an amazing selection of iconic players from different eras of the world of golf. This year is no different. Every player in the field won a major trophy during their career and while Gary Player won his first major in 1961, Darren Clarke is our most recent champion, winning The Open Championship in 2011. We truly have 50 years’ worth of champions in this field and we love bringing them together to share this occasion with their families.”

Jon Miller, president of programming, NBC Sports Group, said, “With this year’s field headlined by some of the greatest players in the history of the game and every team boasting a major championship, fans and viewers at home will be treated to three days of world-class golf. NBC Sports is looking forward to showcasing the PNC Father Son Challenge, which will be a celebration of the game of golf.”

The winning team of the two-day, 36-hole scramble will also receive the Willie Park Trophy, in memory of the father and son British Open champions Willie Park Sr. and Willie Park Jr.

To qualify for the PNC Father Son Challenge, players must have won a major championship or The Players Championship. Their partner must not hold a PGA TOUR card.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has been the title sponsor of the tournament since 2012.