Matt Kuchar and his son Cameron took an impressive lead on the first day of the PNC Championship, shooting a remarkable 15-under 57 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. Their performance put them two shots ahead of the competition, showcasing an explosive start as they birdied the first three holes and continued their momentum with five additional birdies, making the turn at 28.
The back nine saw the Kuchars maintain their strong form with seven more birdies, solidifying their position atop the leaderboard. Closely trailing them are John Daly and his son John Daly II, who sit at 13-under par. The Dalys, who are former champions of the event, expressed their admiration for the Kuchars’ stellar opening round and reflected on their own play, stating they were able to feed off the other team’s hot start despite a shaky beginning to their round.
Nelly Korda and her father Petr are three shots back, tied with several other teams at 12-under, as they aim to close the gap in the rounds to come. The reigning champions, Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, are also in the mix, though they will need an exceptional performance to defend their title.
The PNC Championship, known for uniting past major winners with their family members, features a total purse of $1 million, with $200,000 set aside for the winning team. Notably absent this year is Tiger Woods, who is recovering from recent back surgery, having celebrated his 50th birthday on the same day.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Kuchars as they look to build on their strong start and fend off challenges from other notable teams in this prestigious event. The excitement and camaraderie among the participants continue to highlight the unique spirit of the PNC Championship.