Jack Nicklaus and grandson headline 2018 PNC Father/Son Challenge

ORLANDO– Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus and his grandson, GT Nicklaus, headline a field of golf’s greatest champions, teeing it up alongside their family members at the 21st playing of the PNC Father/Son Challenge this year.

Nicklaus is one of 11 World Golf Hall of Fame members playing in the tournament this year including Retief Goosen, who will be enshrined with the Class of 2019. Goosen and his son, Leo, are making their third appearance in the PNC Father/Son Challenge. Other Hall of Fame members in the field include Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Lee Trevino.

“Since day one, I have rotated between my sons as playing partners, usually alternating between Gary and Jackie,” said Nicklaus. “This year was supposed to be Jackie’s turn, but he said he thought it would be a good idea if GT played again as my partner, so he relinquished his spot to GT. I thought that was a very nice gesture by Jackie.”

Nicklaus continued, “GT had a memorable experience playing in his first PNC Father/Son last December, and he certainly created a different sort of memory for himself - as well as his grandpa and family - in April with his first hole-in-one at Augusta National during the Masters Par-3 Contest. Since playing last year in the Father/Son, GT has grown a lot as a golfer. Unfortunately, his grandfather hasn’t. So go GT!”

Newcomers in 2018 include former European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke and his son, Tyrone; U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk, playing with his father and swing coach, Mike; Matt Kuchar, playing with his father, Peter; and David Toms, playing with his son, Carter.

“I feel so fortunate to be able to play in the PNC Father/Son Challenge alongside my dad,” Furyk said. “My entire golf career has been a family affair and my dad has been there every step of the way. He has taught me so many lessons about life and my golf swing, so to have this opportunity to team up with him is nothing short of a dream come true. I know our entire family is going to enjoy the event and I’m sure the competitive juices will be flowing.”

The 21st playing of the PNC Father/Son Challenge will take place Dec. 13-16 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has been the title sponsor of the tournament since 2012.

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.

“When we started the PNC Father/Son Challenge, our goal was to showcase the family bonds that golf creates and give the legends of our game an opportunity to share their success with the ones they love most,” said Alastair Johnston, vice chairman, IMG. “More than two decades later, our mission remains the same as we welcome a field of major champions who will combine their passion for family and golf, and create lifelong memories that no trophy can provide. As the event continues to evolve, we are also thrilled to welcome more professional sons to our field and watch as they pull back the curtain on their successful careers for their fathers.”

Over the 20 years of the tournament, 24 World Golf Hall of Fame members have played in the championship, averaging two-thirds of the professional field each year. The winning team of the two-day, 36-hole scramble receives the Willie Park Trophy, in memory of the father and son Open Championship winners Willie Park Sr. and Willie Park Jr. This year’s purse is $1,085,000.

“Showcasing golf’s most celebrated champions alongside their families in the PNC Father/Son Challenge is a wonderful honor we look forward to each December,” said Jon Miller, president of programming, NBC Sports Group. “This unique event on the golf calendar has become a real treat for viewers to get a glimpse at the special bonds that extend across generations, as well as a perfect opportunity to see the legends of the game in a relaxed, competitive setting.”

Tickets are now on sale, priced at $15 per day or $45 for a full tournament pass (four days), by visiting pncfathersonchallenge.com. Active military and children age 15 years and younger receive complimentary admission with an accompanying adult.

NBC/Golf Channel will provide coverage of the PNC Father/Son Challenge. Dan Hicks will handle play-by-play duties alongside Peter Jacobsen in the booth. David Feherty, 2017 Father/Son participant Justin Leonard, Notah Begay, Jim 'Bones' Mackay and Steve Sands will round out the coverage team.

BROADCAST TIMES

Friday, December 14

5-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel – Pro-Am Show)

Saturday, December 15

11 a.m.-Noon ET (Golf Channel)

2-3 p.m. ET (Replay, Golf Channel)

3-6 p.m. ET (Tape Delay, NBC)

Sunday, December 16

11 a.m.-Noon ET (Golf Channel)

2-3 p.m. ET (Replay, Golf Channel)

3-6 p.m. ET (Tape Delay, NBC)

2018 PNC Father/Son Challenge Field

1. Stewart Cink/Connor Cink

2. Darren Clarke/Tyrone Clarke

3. John Daly/Little John Daly

4. David Duval/Nick Karavites

5. Nick Faldo/Matthew Faldo

6. Jim Furyk/Mike Furyk

7. Retief Goosen/Leo Goosen

8. Lee Janzen/Connor Janzen

9. Tom Kite/David Kite

10. Matt Kuchar/Peter Kuchar

11. Bernhard Langer/Jackie Langer John

12. Davis Love III/Dru Love

13. Jack Nicklaus/GT Nicklaus

14. Greg Norman/Greg Norman Jr.

15. Mark O’Meara/Shaun O’Meara

16. Jerry Pate/Wesley Pate

17. Nick Price/Greg Price

18. Vijay Singh/Qass Singh

19. David Toms/Carter Toms

20. Lee Trevino/Daniel Trevino

Past Champions of the Father/Son Challenge

1995 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.

1996 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.

1997 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr.

1998 – Bob Charles and David Charles

1999 – Jack Nicklaus and Gary Nicklaus

2000 – Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd

2001 – Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd

2002 – Craig Stadler and Kevin Stadler

2003 – Hale Irwin and Steve Irwin

2004 – Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson

2005 – Bernhard Langer and Stefan Langer

2006 – Bernhard Langer and Stefan Langer

2007 – Larry Nelson and Josh Nelson

2008 – Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson

2012 – Davis Love III and Davis “Dru” Love IV

2013 – Stewart Cink and Connor Cink

2014 – Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer

2015 – Lanny Wadkins and Tucker Wadkins

2016 – David Duval and Nick Karavites

2017 – Angel Cabrera and Angel Cabrera, Jr.