One of the most unique mainstream sporting events throughout the year, the PNC Championship, or alternatively known as the Father/Son Challenge, is a yearly event which attracts some of the most notable PGA Pros from past and present. Along side their fathers, sons, or in a few instances their daughters, these pros compete with their family in a scramble format for a cash prize. Donning various sponsors throughout the 25 year history, the Father/Son challenge has become a staple of the PGA schedule.
Set to take place the weekend of December 19th and 20th, this year will introduce the team of Tiger Woods and his son Charlie for the first time. Below are the rules and tournament details, as well as the odds you can expect for each of the teams this weekend.
What Are The Rules To Qualify For the PNC Championship?
The teams will consist of one PGA Tour pro past or present, and they must have won at least one Major championship or The Players Championship to receive an invitation to the event. This includes former pros such as Greg Norman and modern titans along the lines of Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas. Additionally, famed LPGA Champion Annika Sorenstam will play along side her father Tom, being the first woman to play in the PNC Championship last year.
Pros are allowed to team with a parent or child of their choosing, which includes sons, daughters, fathers, fathers in law, and even grandsons as partners. Children must be of middle school age on up, but cannot be currently a touring professional golfer at the time of the event.
Below is a list of the notable participants along side their odds to win in respect to golf betting at the time of writing:
- Justin Thomas and Father – +250
- Tiger Woods and Son – +650
- Bubba Watson and Father in Law – +750
- John Daly and Son – +1200
- Annika Sorenstam and Father – +12500
One of the more notable teams, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie Woods aged 11, will see their first pairing this weekend and have a reasonable chance of taking home the trophy. Without shock, Charlie has seen success following in his father’s footsteps, already amassing wins at multiple junior events. The Woods duo will see steep competition, however, with the teaming of Justin Thomas and his father Mike, with Justin currently coming in as the number three ranked golfer in the world. While Tiger and son aren’t quite the favorites, you can never count him out as we have seen with his amazing return to glory as the surprise winner of the 2019 Masters.
Other notable pairings include Bubba Watson and his father in law Wayne Ball, Matt Kuchar and his son Cameron, and Jim Furyk along side his son Tanner. While the scramble format will cater to the stronger single team member, there are bound to be some interesting holes along the way.
The players at the PNC Championship will tee off at 1 PM ET on Saturday December 19th, with the second and final round resuming the next day at 2 PM ET.
