Who was the first woman to play in the PNC Championship? Tournament history explored
The PNC Championship was initially called the PNC Father-Son Challenge. In 2019, however, legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam became the first female pro to participate in the tournament.
Sorenstam has been a trailblazer in female golf. In 2001, she became the first female to hit 59 in competition. In 2003, she became the first woman since 1945 to tee off next to male golfers on the PGA Tour. So it came as no surprise when she broke ground at the then-PNC Father-Son Challenge. She had paired up with her father, Tom Sorenstam.
In October 2019, Annika spoke about participating in the event, saying (via PNC Championship):
"I can’t wait to play with my dad at the PNC Father Son Challenge. He introduced my sister and me to the game and has been there providing support to us ever since. To tee it up with him in such a special televised event with so many of golf’s global icons really means a lot. We will have fun,"
This year, she will be taking part with her son Will McGee. She won't be the only woman in the field, as World no. 1 Nelly Korda will also be teeing off with her father, Petr Korda.
Although Sorenstam was the first female pro to participate in the PNC Championship, the first-ever female competitor was Fuzzy Zoeller's daughter Gretchen. The duo took part in the event in 2005.
The tournament officially changed its name to PNC Championship in 2020.
Who will be playing against Annika Sorenstam and Will McGee at the PNC Championship? Full field explored
Annika Sorenstam and her son Will McGee will be up against several terrific pro-amateur teams at the 2024 PNC Championship. Sorenstam will take on fellow regular fixtures such as Tiger Woods, Nelly Korda, and John Daly, among others, this weekend.
20 teams of two members will form the field of the event this year. The prize purse is a staggering $1,085,000, with the winner's share being $200,000. The tournament will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, from December 19 to 22.
Here is the full field of the PNC Championship:
- Stewart Cink and Connor Cink (son)
- Fred Couples and Hunter Hannemann (step-son)
- John Daly and John Daly II (son)
- David Duval and Brady Duval (son)
- Nick Faldo and Matthew Faldo (son)
- Padraig Harrington and Paddy Harrington (son)
- Trevor Immelman and Jacob Immelman (son)
- Nelly Korda and Petr Korda (father)
- Matt Kuchar and Carson Kuchar (son)
- Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer (son)
- Tom Lehman and Sean Lehman (son)
- Justin Leonard and Luke Leonard (son)
- Mark O’Meara and Shaun O’Meara (son)
- Gary Player and Alexander Hall (grandson)
- Nick Price and Greg Price (son)
- Vijah Singh and Qass Singh (son)
- Annika Sorenstam and Will McGee (son)
- Steve Stricker and Izzi Stricker (daughter)
- Lee Trevino and Daniel Trevino (son)
- Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods (son)