While it may be tempting to call it a silly season, the PNC Championship stands out on the professional golf calendar as a unique and festive way to end the year. Fathers, mothers, and grandparents team up with their sons, daughters, and even grandchildren to host memorable family competitions.
The event will be held again this week at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, with 20 teams participating. Each pairing features a past major champion and a family member, creating a blend of elite golf and family camaraderie. The two-day, 36-hole tournament uses a scrambled format and has produced some truly memorable moments over the years.
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Here’s a look at six moments (or eras) that defined the PNC Championship.
1. Raymond Floyd was the early GOAT (1995-2001)
Raymond Floyd (center) during the PNC Father/Sun Challenge Pro-Am at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando.
The event debuted in 1995 as the PNC Father-Son Challenge, with Raymond Floyd and his son Raymond Jr. winning the first three (1995-1997), then adding two more titles with his son Robert in 2000 and 2001.
Floyd’s five wins set the first standard of greatness in this family-friendly event.
2. Bernhard Langer takes the reins
Bernhard Langer and his son Jason Langer pose with their trophy after winning the 2024 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando.
After Floyd’s early dominance, Bernhard Langer became the king of the PNC Championship, winning six titles and surpassing Floyd’s record.
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His wins spanned decades, with son Stefan winning in 2005 and 2006, and son Jason winning in 2014, 2019, 2023 and 2024.
Langer’s 2024 victory, which broke all-time records and cemented his dynasty, was especially historic.
3. Vijay Singh’s historic sub-60 round (2022)
Vijay Singh of Fiji and his son Kasu Singh speak on the first tee during the first round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 17, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
Vijay Singh and his son Kasu Singh made history by becoming the first team to reach the sub-60 round twice in the same tournament.
He shot 13-under 59 and finished at 26-under.
This will be the 16th time the Singhs have competed together at PNC. Three-time major champion Vijay sank a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to keep the quartet of former champions at bay.
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“This is the highlight of my career,” said Vijay, “winning with him.”
4. John Daly vs. Tiger Woods drama (2021)
December 16, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA. John Daly hits a shot on the third tee during the Pro-Am round of the PNC Championship Golf Tournament at the Grande Lakes Orlando Course. Required Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
In 2021, John Daly and John Daly II won with a total of 27 under par, holding off the challenge from Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods, who excited fans with 11 consecutive birdies in the final round.
“To come here and win a big tournament like this with my son, there’s nothing like it,” said John Daly, who shot 57 with his son for a 36-hole total of 27-under 117.
The match marked Tiger’s mental return to competitive golf after his car accident and became one of the most talked about matches.
5. Fireworks with Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas (2020)
Justin Thomas and his father Mike Thomas pose with the trophy after winning the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 20, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Mike Ehrman/Getty Images
The father-son duo posted an impressive 15-under 57, including seven consecutive birdies in the final round, overtaking Team Singh by one stroke.
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This performance demonstrated the competitive nature of the event despite its family-friendly atmosphere.
“I put it aside in case it was decided,” Justin said of the winning ball. “If you get my bag, I’ll give it to him any time.”
6. Influence of Tiger and Charlie Woods
Tiger Woods’ son Charlie fist bumps Justin Thomas on the 9th hole during the first round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on December 19, 2020. (Photo by Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
Although they haven’t won yet, Tiger and Charlie Woods have been the event’s biggest draws since their debut in 2020. The 2021 runner-up finish and consistent contention have increased the profile of the PNC Championship worldwide.
Although he couldn’t quite match John Daly and his son John II at the PNC Championship that year, the two teamed up for a tournament-record 11 consecutive birdies and a 15-under 57.
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Only 1,000 tickets were sold to the public, and it seemed like the entire audience was watching Tiger and Charlie, including Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and countless grown men wearing Tiger’s traditional Sunday red and black. Former tour pro John Cook went out for a walk on the back nine with his old practice round buddy Tiger and was amazed by what he saw.
“Who expected the U.S. Open to break out?” he said, adding, “But you know, Tiger’s not the type of guy to just show up.”
“The competitiveness never goes away,” Tiger said. “This is my environment. This is what I’ve been doing all my life. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to do it again.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas on 6 moments that defined the PNC Championship
