Loves win Father Son with record score
Davis Love III and son Dru Love won the PNC Father-Son Challenge on Sunday at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando. A blistering start to their round as they went out in 27 set the tone as they made seven birdies and an eagle to shoot nine under on the front before pulling away from the Goosens, Dalys and Cinks on the back side.
Team Love took the lead with a birdie at No. 11 and finished off the record round with four more birdies and an eagle. The 56 beat by one the record previously held by Raymond Floyd and his son in 1995, and by Bob Charles and his son in 1998. The 56 was a tournament course record, which was previously set at 59 and recently matched by the Dalys on Saturday but not even a 58 from the Goosen’s on Sunday was enough to deny Team Love who won the tournament for a second time as they finished at 26-under 118
Commenting on the win, the Love III said, “That feels great. We’ve come close several times, he’s been very competitive this week, after a slow start yesterday it’s nice to get it going and get another win.” He added, “I knew we needed at least 14 under to have a chance, I just said, let’s try and hole every wedge shot and eagle every hole like we’re behind.”
Reiterating his Father’s words, Dru, who recently finished 54th in the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic at his home course said, “We love this tournament so much, it means the world to us, especially with our whole family here.”
In a bittersweet moment regarding the tournament’s qualifying criteria that states all partners of the invited professional must not hold any professional Tour status, Dru explained, “My dad said let’s finish this one off because hopefully it’s our last one, I’m hoping my sister can start practicing so I can come back and caddie for her.”
Crashing the press conference to congratulate the partnership, 18-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, who recorded his highest finish since 2013 added, “Get yourself on the PGA Tour, I don’t want to see you again at this event!”
Retief and Leo Goosen, Stewart and Connor Cink, and John and Little John Daily all tied for second at 23 under, three shots back.
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