PNC Championship preview: Team Woods headlines 5 teams to watch
One of the most entertaining events on the PGA TOUR calendar, the annual parent-child PNC Championship, wraps up the 2023 slate.
While the format makes for a fun product on its own, Charlie Woods' emergence over the past few years has made it must-see television. While the younger Woods is still only 14 years old, he's shown plenty of promise while looking eerily similar to his father along the way.
The Woods' are in the field again this year as one of the two-person teams hoping to take the title away from Vijay and Qass Singh after their victory last time out.
When: Dec. 16-17
Where: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Florida
Broadcast info
Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
---|---|---|
Dec. 16 | 2:30 - 6:00 p.m. | NBC |
Dec. 17 | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | GOLF |
1:30 - 4:30 p.m. | NBC |
5 teams to watch
Tiger and Charlie Woods
Tiger is the main attraction whenever he tees it up, but the last few years of the PNC Championship have been Charlie's playground. The golfing world has been mesmerized by the 14-year-old each time he's competed in the event - he mimics his father in everything from the way he swings the club to how he chirps Justin Thomas.
However, Charlie is no longer the little kid walking beside Tiger, as he's getting closer in height to his 6-foot father. He's also a much more polished player since his first start in this event, recently helping his high school win the Florida State title as a freshman.
Justin and Mike Thomas
The annual tradition of the Thomas' playing alongside the Woods' will resume this year at the PNC Championship. The trash talk between Charlie and Justin has become part of the show, with the younger Woods often getting the better of the two-time major winner. But Justin and his father Mike have the ultimate card to play on Tiger and Charlie: The Thomas' won the event in 2020 while the Woods' have never claimed the trophy.
John Daly and John Daly II
The Daly duo shone brightest in the 2021 event, claiming the trophy with a record-breaking performance. While two-time major winner John is the big name, his son packs some serious game and is arguably the best of the non-professional children playing in the tournament. The younger Daly plays at the collegiate level for Arkansas and posted a top-10 showing in his latest NCAA event.
Steve and Izzi Stricker
The 56-year-old Stricker makes his debut with his daughter Izzi. The elder Stricker tore up the Champions Tour this past season with a whopping six wins and five other second-place showings in a total of 18 events. The pair experienced some incredible success on the golf course with Izzi serving as Steve's caddie earlier this season when he won the Senior PGA Championship. Izzi is a very accomplished player in her own right, having won her second straight Wisconsin State Girls Championship this year.
Nelly and Petr Korda
The most athletically accomplished non-golfer in the field is undoubtedly Nelly's father, Petr. The elder Korda won the 1998 Australian Open in tennis and once stood as the No. 2 player in the world on the ATP Tour. The duo placed fifth in last year's PNC Championship and will be looking to build on that this time around. Nelly comes in fresh off another team event with a fourth-place showing in last week's Grant Thornton Invitational alongside Tony Finau.
HEADLINES
- Thitikul finishes eagle-birdie to claim LPGA finale and win record $4M prize
- Thitikul catches Angel Yin in LPGA finale with late charge
- Korda wins The Annika for 7th LPGA victory of season
- Korda, Zhang trim Hull's lead to 1 through Round 3 at The Annika
- Hull makes more birdies for 2-shot lead over Korda at The Annika