ANNIKA SORENSTAM MAKES PNC FATHER SON CHALLENGE HISTORY
October 30, 2019
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, Oct. 30, 2019 – Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam is set to become the first female professional to compete in the PNC Father Son Challenge at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes, alongside her father Tom, and fellow major champions, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson from Dec. 5 – 8.
Annika, who is widely regarded as one of the best female golfers in history, is a ten-time major champion, 90-time winner worldwide and eight-time Solheim Cup player as well as captaining Team Europe in the biennial contest.
This is not the first time that Annika has broken new ground. Back in 2001, the hall of famer made history by becoming the first female to shoot 59 in competition, a feat that has not since been matched. In 2003, she became the first woman since 1945 to tee it up alongside her male counterparts on the PGA Tour and more recently, she announced she would co-host a mixed strokeplay tournament with Henrik Stenson.
Annika said, “I can’t wait to play with my dad at the PNC Father Son Challenge. He introduced my sister and me to the game and has been there providing support to us ever since. To tee it up with him in such a special televised event with so many of golf’s global icons really means a lot. We will have fun.”
Annika is the latest star name to confirm a place in the tournament, which has seen as many as 25 World Golf Hall of Fame Members participate over the 21-year history for the total purse of $1,085,000.
The winning team of the two-day, 36-hole scramble will also receive the Willie Park Trophy, in memory of the father and son British Open champions Willie Park Sr. and Willie Park Jr.
Commenting on the announcement, Alastair Johnston, Executive Chairman, PNC Father/Son Challenge, added, “Annika is a real trailblazer of the game of golf and we are excited to welcome her to make history at this year’s event. The tournament regularly hosts some of the most iconic male champions and it is fitting that we add perhaps the most successful female golfer of all time to our field. We look forward to welcoming her and Tom in December.”
Jon Miller, president of programming, NBC Sports Group, said, “Annika is one of the greatest golfers of all-time and a true ambassador to the sport. Our viewers will cherish watching Annika revive her competitive juices inside the ropes alongside her father against many other of the game’s legendary players and their families.”
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.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has been the title sponsor of the tournament since 2012.