2021 PNC Championship picks, course class, odds, golf predictions, best bets when Tiger Woods returns

The PNC Championship, featured on the golf calendar this weekend, is usually nothing more than a mid-December celebratory exhibit featuring parents and their children having the chance to play golf. 36 holes together. This year, however? Because a 15-time major winner is bound to make his first public appearance on the golf course in 12 months, the event has become one of the must-sees of the year.

Tiger Woods’ presence with his son, Charlie, doesn’t necessarily increase the stakes of the event itself, but it does carry weight on what goes on Saturday and Sunday at the Ritz Golf Club -Carlton in Orlando. Each of Tiger’s turns and steps will be analyzed in great detail, who he is and the year he was in after a car crash in February nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg. .

So, let’s take a look back at the event, what to expect from it, how to watch it, and some burning questions as we head into the final (I think!) end of 2021.

Information & Events

Incident: PNC Championship | Day: December 18-19
Location: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club – Orlando, Florida
Fate: 72 | Purse: 1.09 million dollars
Format: Two people fighting

Wait, what is this event?

The PNC Championship – formerly the Father/Son Challenge – has actually been around for a quarter of a century and it has a good history. The vision for it is that former grand prix winners (or Players) team up with their sons to have some family time and also compete with each other. Over the years, it has evolved from a father-son event into a communal festival for the whole family.

Some golfers play with their daughters. Some play with their grandson. World No. 1 on the women’s side, Nelly Korda, is playing with her father, former Australian Open (tennis) champion, Petr. There’s very little money at stake, but the rivalry between the two is nonetheless a fun family-friendly way for some of the best in the world to show off their skills to fans while creating celebrate with their children.

What is the format?

This is a real scramble in that both players tee off – usually from different tees – and the best shot will be taken. The golfers then all play from that position and the best approach shot is taken. This obviously led to some ridiculous scores as Thomas’ family – Justin and Mike – shot 62-57 last year to finish in under-25 and win over Vijay Singh and his son.

Who won past events?

Raymond Floyd and his son, Raymond Floyd Jr., won the first three iterations of the event, and eldest brother Floyd went on to win five of the first seven times overall. Jack Nicklaus and his son won here. Bernhard Langer has four titles. Larry Nelson has three. Stewart Cink, Davis Love III and David Duval all have titles.

Did Tiger not play here last year?

He did! Last year’s event marked both Tiger’s first time struggling with his back again (he had surgery in January) and also our introduction to Charlie, who is great at golf and also a great golfer. a pleasure to watch the match. Team Woods is seventh in 2020.

Who is in the field this year?

This year’s group ranges from 12 years old (Charlie) to 86 years old (Gary Player). Here is a list of the 20 teams that will tee off in Orlando this weekend.

• Rich Beem and Michael Beem
• Lee Trevino and Daniel Trevino
• Mark O’Meara and Shaun O’Meara
• Matt Kuchar and Cameron Kuchar
• Nelly Korda and Petr Korda
• Nick Faldo and Matthew Faldo
• David Duval and Brady Duval
• Gary Player and Jordan Player
• Henrik Stenson and Karl Stenson
• Stewart Cink and Reagan Cink
• Tom Lehman and Sean Lehman
• Jim Furyk and Tanner Furyk
• John Daly and John Daly II
• Bubba Watson and Wayne Ball
• Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas
• Nick Price and Greg Price
• Padraig Harrington and Paddy Harrington
• Tom Watson and Michael Watson
• Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods
• Vijay Singh and Qass Singh

That’s a total of 67 major championships among 20 former or current professionals. An incredible collection of talent, all gathered in one event.

Wait, so Tiger?

Woods announced a week ago that he would be playing the event with Charlie, and that announcement comes just a week after he said he didn’t know when he would be ready for the PGA Tour golf tournament. once again. There was a metaphorical surrender – at least in terms of his ability to compete at Tour events and majors – when Woods spoke at the World of Heroes Challenge. And while this weekend’s tournament is nowhere near a Tour event and certainly not anything in the field of a major championship, Woods’ body is still closer than he has allowed into two. last week in the Bahamas, where we heard from him for the first time since his accident in February.

He told Hero that it was almost 50-50 that his right leg would have to be amputated. Now, he is playing a televised golf tournament with his son. I still have doubts about his future – mainly because I think the fire was put out by his fifth back surgery in January as well as that car crash – but the appearance his this weekend is something should be organized. It’s also somewhat ironic that, as my friend Dylan Dethier pointed out, Tiger can swing a better racquet this time around compared to this tournament last year.

Choose and predict

The Thomas family is the most favorite to win this event at +200. I’ll go with Team Cink at +550 and with Team Korda at +1200 as my sleeper. Team Woods is +1000.

As for the way Tiger plays, I think he’ll be fine. His swing looks good in the little footage we’ve had of it over the past few weeks. He’ll probably tire as the week goes by, and he’ll almost certainly be missing some of the pop music we’ve seen. But despite everything he endured, he still has some of the greatest players in golf history. He talks about it often, and it’s true.

So we’ll likely see some good moments from him, which people will say herald a Masters win in April. It’s not, but it’s easy (and fun!) to pretend they’re in December. Despite that, I doubt Tiger’s performance with Charlie will be great and, given what’s been going on. going on in the last 12 months, perhaps even lovelier than last year.

Here’s how you can see all the weekends.

Round 1 – Saturday

Round starts: 9:45 am

Early coverage: 12:30-1:30pm – Peacock

Live TV coverage: 12-3pm on Golf channel
Live streaming online: 12-3 pm on fuboTV (Free trial) and GolfChannel.com

Main broadcast: 2:30-5:30pm on NBC
Live simulation: 2:30-5:30pm in fuboTV (Free Trial) and NBCSports.com

Round 2 – Sunday

Round starts: 9:45 am

Early coverage: 11am – 12pm – Peacock

Live TV coverage: 12-1pm on Golf channel
Live streaming online: 12-1pm on fuboTV (Free trial) and GolfChannel.com

Main broadcast: 1-4:30 p.m. on NBC
Live simulation: 1-4: 30pm on fuboTV (Free Trial) and NBCSports.com