Thomas confirms PNC title defence; will Tiger play?

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Tiger Woods and son Charlie Woods, and Justin Thomas with his Dad Mike at last year's tournament (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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World No.6 Justin Thomas has confirmed that he will defend his title at the 2021 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes, Dec.16-19.

Thomas once again will play with his father, Mike Thomas, after the pair won on their PNC Championship debut last year, birding 15 of their 18 holes to card a final-round 57 and end the week on 25-under-par. Vijay Singh and son Qass claimed the second spot, while Mark O’Meara and his son Shaun shared third place alongside Lee Trevino and his son Daniel, all of whom are competing again in this year’s Championship.

Winner of the 2017 US PGA Championship and this year’s Players Championship, Thomas commented: “We are excited to return to the PNC Championship this year to defend our title. It was the perfect way to end the season last year and a great time for the whole family.  We’re all looking forward to getting back out there again. It is really special to be able to be out there competing with Pops amongst this amazing field of major champions and their families. We’ve both been training, we’re ready, and can’t wait for the week to start!”

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One player announcement remains to complete the field of golfing legends past and present. Tiger Woods and sweet-swinging son Charlie made headlines around the world when they partnered up at the event last year and while Tiger admits he’s a long way off a full PGA Tour return, a video of him swinging relatively freely ahead of this week’s Hero World Challenge has fuelled speculation that he might tee-up at the exhibition tournament.

The 19 players confirmed for the 2021 line-up along with Thomas are: six-time Major winner Nick Faldo; three-time major winner and European Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington; two-time major winner Mark O’Meara; three-time Major Champion Nick Price; double US Open Champion Retief Goosen; 2003 US Open Champion Jim Furyk;1996 Open Champion Tom Lehman; World No.1 Nelly Korda; 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson; nine-time Major winner and all-round golf legend Gary Player; eight-time Major winner Tom Watson; Lee Trevino, who has played in every edition since the Championship began in 1995; former World No1 David Duval; two-time Major winner John Daly; three-time major winner Vijay Singh; 2013 PNC Championship winner Stewart Cink; two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson; and Matt Kuchar, qualifying via his victory at The 2012 Players Championship.

The tournament, which will be broadcast live on NBC, attracts major champions whose victories this year span 1959 to 2021. Last year, the PNC Championship included a field that had won a remarkable 67 Major titles. With only 20 teams competing, players past and present have shown unprecedented interest in campaigning for a spot in the star-studded line-up.

The PNC Championship has continued to evolve and develop since the inaugural tournament in 1995, when ten major winners gathered with their sons. The tournament now features 20 major champions and their relatives competing for the total purse of $1,085,000 in a two-day, 36-hole scramble for the Willie Park Trophy.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has been the title sponsor of the tournament since 2012.  The event formerly known as the PNC Father/Son Challenge, was renamed the PNC Championship in 2020 to reflect the high level of competition and field composition, while still celebrating an inclusive family event that showcases the special bonds that the love of golf creates.

To qualify for the PNC Championship, players must have won a major championship or The Players Championship. Their partner must not hold a PGA TOUR card.

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