Will McGee, along with his mom Annika Sorenstam, rated last year’s PNC Championship debut a 10/10. The 12-year-old has a lot of highlights at the Ritz Carlton golf club. He was a favorite last year and is sure to continue his success. The first ace came during a practice session after school with his father Mike McGee on the fourth-hole. Will hit a 7 iron into the wind at 128 yards.
Will then sank a 40-foot Eagle putt during Saturday’s PNC opening round on the par-5 3rd hole.
Will said, “At first it was downhill and then towards the middle it became clear that it would break to the right. My mom told me to get more legs. I was shocked. It kept going slowly and dropped eventually, which felt good.
After carding a 10-under-par 62, Team Annika is tied for seventh place in the scramble format. The team is eight strokes behind Matt Kuchar and Cameron Kuchar. Tiger Woods’ son Charlie and Tiger Woods opened the round with 64s.
Photos : The 2023 PNC Championship
Sorenstam is the only mother in the field. She has won 72 times on the LPGA including 10 majors. For a team to be invited, a player must have at least won one major on the PGA Tour, LPGA, or PGA Tour Champions, or The Players Championship. The partner cannot hold any professional playing status.
Sorenstam said, “We didn’t know what to expect last year. I thought we did well. And now, this year, expectations are higher for someone. So, we were a bit nervous for that reason.”
Will McGee, son of Annika Sorenstam from Sweden, throws a ball onto the 18th green at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando on December 16, 2023. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images).
Will was asked to comment on the number of aces that he has. He said, “It’s a matter for debate.” He does not count the ace he made at Pinehurst Resort’s Par-3 course The Cradle last year, when mom was competing in U.S. Women’s Open.
Will said, “I say one, but my dad says two.”
