Matt Kuchar and his college-bound son Cameron made a 15-under 57, taking a two-shot lead over John Daly and his son in a dramatic Saturday scramble at the PNC Championship.
Kuchar’s Record-Breaking Day
Cameron Kuchar, who is heading to TCU next year, started the round with a flawless first hole, driving and wedging to a foot for birdie. The next hole saw him repeat the pattern, driving, wedging and putting for another birdie. Cameron went on to make birdie on all but three holes, finishing 15-under 57.
The “Horse and the Saddle” Moment
“He’s the horse and the saddle. That’s all there is to it,” Daly, the two-time major champion, said of John Daly II, the Southern Amateur champion and senior at Arkansas. Kuchar added, “He ran a tally up. It was way higher than my tally of solo birdies. He got the best of my today.”
A Game Within a Game
The scramble format allowed each pair to play from the best ball. Cameron’s solo birdies gave his team a low score at the Ritz-Carlton Club and a chance to win the Willie Park Trophy, a red belt awarded to the winning team.
The 14th-Hole Glitch
The only hiccup came on the par-5 14th. Both players were in the fairway, but each hit into the water that runs down the left side. They had to scramble for par, which felt like a bogey. Kuchar said, “You do feel a bit deflated walking away from a par particularly after the drive he hit. Best thing you can do is just get right back on it, and Cam did that on the next.”
The Tournament’s Appeal
The PNC Championship is popular among players who have won majors of The Players Championship and bring one of their children or a parent. The event attracts 20 teams, many of whom are former major champions.
Gary Woodland’s Comeback
Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland was the lone newcomer among the teams. He is recovering from brain surgery performed in September 2023, and his father Dan is a cancer survivor. The Woodland pair shot 61.
Sunday’s Final Scramble
The final round on Sunday follows the same scramble format, with each team hitting from the best ball. The competition remains tight, with several teams still in the mix, including two women.
Steve Stricker and Nelly Korda
Steve Stricker and daughter Izzi, a sophomore at Wisconsin, were at 12-under 60. Two-time LPGA major champion Nelly Korda and her father, former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda, also sat at 60.
The Loves Family
Davis Love III and his son Davis Love IV-known as Dru-were also at 60. Dru Love won the tournament twice, in 2012 and 2018. He had an Asian Tour card that kept him from playing the PNC, but he no longer has a card on any tour. The Loves entered late after several high-profile players were sidelined by injury or health issues.
Daly and Little John’s Legacy
Daly and Little John are past champions, having beaten Tiger Woods and his son Charlie in 2021. The son delivered a clutch shot on the par-5 closing hole, hitting an 8-iron from 190 yards to 10 feet.
Other Notable Teams
Annika Sorenstam and son Will McGee were in the group at 11-under 61, which also included the Woodlands and Justin Leonard and his college son Luke (Villanova). David Duval and his son shot 61, along with two-time defending champions Bernhard Langer and Wall Street son Jason.
Key Takeaways
- Cameron Kuchar’s 15-under 57 gives the Kuchar team a two-shot lead.
- The scramble format keeps the competition tight, with several teams still in contention.
- The tournament showcases a unique blend of family and elite golf talent.
The PNC Championship continues to highlight the sport’s tradition of family involvement while delivering high-level competition. With the scramble format, even a single misstep-like the 14th-hole water hazard-can be mitigated, keeping the drama alive until the final putt.
