Pro-Am R2 Field Insights

Key Quotes:

Tiger Woods, back competing for the first time since The Open, playing in his 5th PNC Championship with son Charlie.

Demonstrating his love of the event , he was asked how close he was to having to miss this week…

“I had moments. That was one of the reasons why I had the surgery done earlier, so that hopefully I could give myself the best chance to be with Charlie and be able to play. I’m not competitive right now, but I just want to be able to have the experience again. This has always been one of the bigger highlights of the year for us as a family, and now we get to have that moment together again.”

On the circumstance of Charlie managing to beat him…

“He beat me for nine holes. He has yet to beat me for 18 holes. That day is coming. I’m just prolonging it as long as I possibly can. But we have so much fun out there.

Justin Leonard and I go way back to junior golf and amateur golf, college golf, and all the teams we’ve made together over the years. It’ll be a fun atmosphere tomorrow, and we’re just going to have a blast.”

On what parts of each other’s game they will reply on…

“Well, hopefully I don’t have to hit many drivers. So if he can move it out there and I hit iron shots, he gets all the putts, and it’s a good backup.”

World No.1 Nelly Korda is playing in her 4th PNC Championship with father Petr.

On being excited to play with Fred couples in the first round…

“This is such a neat and cool event to make lifelong memories, and that’s what we get to do, and for us to tee it up for a fourth time together, it’s been so much fun. I’m super excited to play with Fred Couples, personally, so sorry, Dad. That’s the highlight of my week right now. I’ve seen his swing. I’ve never met him in person. Met him for the first time in person this morning on the range, and getting to see that tempo all day will be really nice.”

Petr Korda on being around so many golf legends this week…

“To be around all the legends of the golf, it’s challenging for me because I’m coming from a different sport. When you spend the time, let’s say, with Mark O’Meara, I feel like a little kid in a candy store when he talks about his experience and stories, so I’m looking forward to getting some more experience.”

Defending champion Bernhard Langer on why he loves playing the PNC Championship…

“I love this tournament. Many years ago, I called it the fifth major, jokingly, but it’s a very special event. It’s a family event and living in Boca Raton in Florida, only three hours away, we were fortunate enough to make this a real family event for the Langers and bring a lot of the kids up here and have a great weekend, and to be able to play with my boys and my girls.

You know, everybody gets to either play or caddie or be involved in some way, shape or form. It’s been great and PNC is a phenomenal sponsor. The tournament has grown in stat your, and hear from the public, you know, they love watching it on TV. That’s all I have to say.”

24-year-old Jason Langer on improving his game since last year…

“I’m playing a little better. Probably towards the end of my college years and afterwards, when you don’t practise, your short game goes. But you know, still comfortable with my game and I’m just happy to be on the golf course. You know, in this format in a scramble, it really is 60 percent putting, 20, 30 percent wedge shots. So if you can putt well, you have a chance.”

Tournament in Numbers:

• 11 former World No.1s
• 7 Ryder Cup Captains
• 15 Ryder cup players with 82 appearances
• 1080+ total professional wins
• 69 Major titles
• 5 past champions
• 11 World Golf Hall of Fame members
• 27th edition
• 13th year with PNC Bank as title Sponsor, and it was announced yesterday that PNC will extend its contract as title sponsor of the PNC Championship until 2032.