Team Duval wins 2016 PNC Father/Son Challenge
David Duval and stepson Nick Karavites (pictured above) shot 10-under-par 62 on Sunday to win the 2016 PNC Father/Son Challenge with a 123 (-21) total.
The duo defeated 2013 PNC champions Stewart and Connor Cink, newcomers Retief and Leo Goosen, and Fred and Taylor Funk by one shot to earn the $200,000 first-place check.
Duval, who won the 2001 Open Championship, will now add another piece of golf history to his trophy cabinet. The PNC Father/Son Championship winners receive the Willie Park belts, named for the first father and son duo to win the Open Championship, Willie Park Sr. and Jr.
“This is as good as anything,” said Duval. “It truly is. I know it’s not winning The PLAYERS or something like that, but this is what the progression of life is. To be able to come out in a professional event and win and have the whole family here, I’ll never forget it. I came home and talked with Susan my wife about six weeks ago and said ‘You know if I play like I’m playing and Nick plays like he’s playing, we have a chance.’”
Team Duval made birdies at holes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 to make the turn at 7-under-par for the day. They added birdies at 11, 13 and 14 to shoot 60 and finish the week at 21-under-par 123.
Duval and Karavites previously played the PNC Father/Son Challenge together in 2012 where they tied for fourth. Duval played with his other stepson, Deano, in 2007 (T9) and 2013 (T13).
“Being here with my mom, my brothers and my stepdad, it was amazing,” said Karavites. “We were playing so good and it didn’t seem like too much pressure. Just being with David out here, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
At the age of 45 years, 1 month and 2 days, Duval becomes the second-youngest winner of the PNC Father/Son Challenge. In 2013, Stewart Cink won at the age of 40 years, 6 months and 24 days.
Team Goosen missed 10-foot birdie putts on 18 that could have tied them for the lead, ultimately finishing in the runner-up spot. Retief (pictured above) saw nothing but positives, though, from his 13-year-old son, Leo.
“He’s learning a lot how to manage his game this week, how to think around a course,” he said. “He’s only going to get stronger. He stayed positive.”
Event newcomers John and Little John Daly (pictured above) shot 17-under-par 127 to tie for ninth.
“The way LJ played this week, I’m so proud of him,” said John. “He’s been clutch all week. It’s been a great week for me. The progress for him to see it under the gun, the way he performed, it was incredible.”
Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus and his son, Jack II, shot 5-under-par 139.
“We were a little better than yesterday but basically it’s what (Jackie) did” said Nicklaus.
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