Matt Kuchar couldn't have imagined a more beautiful ending to a year marked by the loss of his father: winning the PNC Championship alongside his son Cameron. On Sunday in Orlando, the pair dominated with a record-breaking performance, finishing the tournament with a 33-point total (111 strokes), a seven-shot lead over the runners-up.
The tournament, dedicated to family and fun, concluded with Kuchar in tears as he spoke about the loss of his father, Peter, who died in February of a heart attack while on a Caribbean cruise with his wife, Meg. "I don't know if you believe in karma or fate or anything, but there's something magical that really exists," Matt said, his voice breaking with emotion.
Peter Kuchar, once the top doubles player in Florida, became an iconic figure in golf by caddiing his son when Matt won the U.S. Amateur in 1997 and was the top amateur at the Masters and U.S. Open the following year. He had played the PNC Championship with Matt before handing over to his grandchildren.
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Matt Kuchar, news
Cameron Kuchar, 18, a future TCU college player, showed great strength: he hit powerful drives from the front tees, often leaving the job of finishing with green shots to his father. It was Cameron who holed the final putt, providing an unforgettable moment for the Kuchar family.
Father and son received the Willie Park Trophy, a red belt that Matt joked would perfectly match the tartan jacket he won at the RBC Heritage in Harbour Town.
The PNC Championship, founded in 1995 as the Father-Son Challenge, is reserved for major champions and their children. Over the years, it has expanded to include winners of The Players, senior majors, and the LPGA. Players can bring parents or daughters.
Kuchar, winner of The Players in 2012, keeps photos with the trophies from his nine victories on the PGA TOUR. For the first few victories, he held both his children in his arms; then they outgrew them. The photo taken Sunday afternoon moved him deeply: "Now having this picture with the family is special, but one is missing... one is missing," he said, his voice choked with emotion.
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Their golf was spectacular from the start. Cameron holed out for birdie on the first hole. On Sunday, they made only two pars, with two eagles and a final 18-under par (54 strokes), a new tournament record. Their total of -33 broke the previous record by five strokes.
Among the highlights, Lee Trevino (86) made an eagle with a lob wedge from the fairway on the 13th.
John Daly and John Daly II finished with a final eagle for a 59 and tied for second place with Davis Love III and Dru Love (-26). Nelly Korda and her father and Steve Stricker and his daughter finished one stroke behind.
The PNC Championship returns for its 28th edition, cementing its place as one of the most anticipated and exciting events on the golf calendar. Founded in 1995 as the Father-Son Challenge, the tournament underwent only one interruption between 2009 and 2011, before resuming with renewed enthusiasm. Since 2020, it has been officially renamed the PNC Championship, although many fans continue to affectionately refer to it by its original name, which evokes the family bond at the heart of the event.
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The tournament takes place from December 20th to 21st at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on a challenging yet spectacular course, perfect for the holiday season.
Unlike other PGA Tour events, the PNC Championship offers a unique format: 20 Major (or The Players Championship) winners team up with a family member, creating a field packed with legendary talent and thrilling moments. The game format is the two-man scramble (also known as Louisiana): on each hole, both players tee off, select the best one, and from there both players take their second shot, repeating the process until they hole out. A fun and spectacular format that rewards teamwork and often produces very low scores over 36 holes.
The defending title holders are Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, who come to Orlando aiming to complete a historic hat trick after their successes in 2023 and 2024. The legendary German golfer, who turned 68 last August, continues to impress with his longevity and competitiveness, and together with his son, they form one of the most close-knit and successful partnerships in the history of the tournament (Langer already has five overall titles at the PNC).
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This year, one of the most followed teams in recent years will be missing: Tiger Woods and his son Charlie will not be competing, with the 15-time Major champion still recovering from surgery. Their absence doesn't diminish the interest in an otherwise stellar field.
Among the most anticipated protagonists are: John Daly with his son John Daly II (Little John), Jim Furyk with his son.
