Cabrera And Son Win The Father-Son Challenge
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-12-18
Team Cabrera (Photo/PNC Father-Son Challenge)
ORLANDO, Florida (Doug Ferguson/AP) — Angel Cabrera and Angel Cabrera Jr. closed with a 12-under 60 for a three-shot victory in their debut at the PNC Father-Son Challenge.
The Cabreras opened with a 59 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and were challenged briefly by the defending champions, David Duval and Nick Karavites, in the scramble format. The Argentines went out in 30, and they had a two-shot lead with Cabrera’s son came within an inch of chipping in for eagle on the final hole.
They finished at 25-under 199 for a three-shot victory over Duval and Karavites, and Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer. The Langer team won in 2014.
Mark O’Meara and Shaun O’Meara tied for fourth at 21 under with Jerry Pate and Wesley Pate.
Cabrera wasn’t even in the field until two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange and his son, Tom Strange, had to withdraw.
Duval and his stepson went out in 28, but the Cabreras regained control by starting the back nine with back-to-back birdies, and then making birdies on the 13th, 14th and 16th. The final birdie allowed them to tie the tournament scoring record.
“This is certain my best week of the year,” said Cabrera, the 2009 Masters champion and 2007 U.S. Open champion at Oakmont. “To play alongside all the legends ... as well as playing alongside my son, has been the greatest week of the year.”
The popular event is for players who have won a major championship or The Players Championship. It is a scramble format both days.
In some cases, the major champions lean on the power of their sons for the distance. O’Meara said that his “little man” hit it 58 yards by him on the 18th. Stewart Cink said son Reagan told him after outdriving him on the opening four holes, “In this tournament I may be your son, but right now I’m your Daddy!”
Jack Nicklaus played with his grandson, G.T. They closed with a 64 and tied for 15th in the field of 20 teams.