ORLANDO – With Paddy Harrington occupied with college exams in Ireland, Ciaran Harrington stepped in to fill his brother’s spot at the PNC Championship in 2023. After breaking his leg six weeks earlier while playing rugby at high school, Ciaran Harrington (15) joined his father Padraig in his first ever competitive round of golf. Ciaran’s best shots were when he felt his stomach in his throat in front of a packed grandstand.
Padraig said, “It was always going be a little push to get him prepared for this, and then when he fractured his leg, he had a 10 day crash course on how to play the game of golf. He’s done brilliant.”
Padraig Harrington and his son Ciaran pictured at the PNC Championship held at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida on December 14, 2023. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images).
The PNC field this year featured 11 former world no. The PNC field featured 11 former world No. The 20 teams, one of the most coveted invitations in golf, combined 62 major championships.
Lee Trevino has played in 26 different editions, and 12-year-old Will McGee is the youngest player in the field. He made his second appearance along with Annika Sorenstam. McGee wept down the entire 18th hole, just thinking that he would have to wait another year before he could do it again.
The PNC is a great event. This week, more pros smiled inside the ropes. This is a great opportunity to discuss something other than your weekly routine. It’s not uncommon for professionals to talk about their favorite topic: family.
Seven teenagers were in the field this year, along with 12-year-old Will. Tiger Woods son Charlie, , generated the most buzz, for a forth consecutive year. But there were many other worthy stories in central Florida, despite the rain.
Cameron Kuchar is 16 years old and has held a golf club ever since he could hold it. He dreams of one day winning the Masters. He is a member of the South Florida PGA Junior Medalist Tour, along with Charlie and Justin Leonard’s son Luke.
Steve Stricker (56), was invited for the first time to the PNC following a rule change that allowed PGA Tour Champions to be major winners. Izzi Stricker, his youngest daughter, will be following in the footsteps her sister Bobbi and mother Nicki to join the Wisconsin golf team in 2024. Izzi is two-times a state champion, and in 2023 she was named the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin’s State Co-Player of Year.
Izzi debuted in May as Steve’s caddie, while inside the ropes, at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Steve won the playoff against Padraig Harrington.
The PNC added a new twist by having the Strickers work together to strategize about shots she would also hit.
The Strickers competed with world no. Izzi described it as the best week of her entire life. Izzi replied briefly when asked if she talked to Charlie much on Sunday.
She said, “We both were really dialed.” “Not much was said by either of us.”
The Stricker family is very close and competitive. Steve Stricker replied that his daughters may have beaten him in a stretch of three holes.
He continued: “But if there are 18 holes, I can honestly say that I don’t believe either of them. I grind my teeth if the time gets close.” I then start talking and getting into their ear to try to throw them off.
Tanner Furyk, like Ciaran’s father Jim Furyk, is not a golfer. The son of Jim Furyk, Tanner Furyk, is a 19-year-old lacrosse player at The University of the South. He’s also a majoring in Economics.
For a team to be invited, a player must have attained a major title (PGA Tour or LPGA, or PGA Tour Champions), or the Players Championship. The partner cannot hold a playing status on a pro tour.
Brady Duval and his father David Duval watch his tee-shot on the first green during the PNC Championship first round at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida on December 16, 2023. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images).
David Duval and Brady , his son, finished as runners-up this year. Berhard Langer won the PNC for a fifth time with his son, tying a record. Brady says the PNC is by far the most exciting week of the entire year.
David teaches Brady to swing in the same manner he’s done for his entire life.
David said, “Our teacher (Shan LeBaron), now also teaches him, and there is a reason why.” “Because that makes it easier.” You don’t need to keep pounding the balls. You don’t need to practice timing. Someone told him to slow down last year. If you are swinging a club correctly, I will tell him to speed up. It will only go straighter and farther.”
David had asked his long-time friend Peter Jacobsen, who was working at PNC that week, to come and explain to Brady a particular move. Brady was able to understand the move in less than 10 seconds.
David said, “We’re all saying the same thing, but you have to say it six or seven times before the individual understands it.”
Ciaran is not a golfer but he has left Orlando with a burning desire to improve. Ciaran is likely to get the call again by dad next December as Paddy will still be in college.
Will McGee has asked his mother for years if he can play with her at the PNC. But Sorenstam, her husband Mike and their son Will wanted to make sure Will was prepared for such a spotlight. They wanted the focus to be on having fun.
Will is addicted to golf. But it’s not because someone forced him into it. Sorenstam was worried Will would burn out, because he shows little interest in anything else.
Padraig Harrington has a recipe for parents who want to get their kids involved in soccer.
Harrington said, “Let the kids have some fun without any pressure or stress.” They have plenty of time. You know, it’s not necessary to be good in this game by the age of six, eight, or twelve. At that age, it could even be a burden. “Let them have fun.”
