Denver-area resident David Duval hadn’t won any nationally televised tournaments in the last 15 years, so Sunday was a very welcome change of pace.
The 45-year-old, once the No. 1-ranked player in the world, teamed with stepson Nick Karavites to capture the title in the 19th PNC Father/Son Challenge in Orlando, Fla.
Winning again “is wonderful,” Duval said. “It’s wonderful to have the feelings, the nerves of really paying attention to what you’re doing, executing the golf shots and picking your lines.”
The victory marks the third time a team with at least one Colorado resident has won the Father/Son Challenge. Coloradans Craig and Kevin Stadler prevailed in 2002 and former University of Colorado golfers Hale and Steve Irwin came out on top the next year.
This time around, at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Duval and Karavites opened up a three-stroke lead on the back nine on Sunday, then held on for a one-shot win, worth $200,000.
“This is as good as anything,” Duval said of the victory. “It truly is. I know it’s not winning The Players or something like that, but this is what the progression of life is. To be able to come out in a professional event and win and have the whole family here, I’ll never forget it.
“I came home and talked with Susan my wife about six weeks ago and said, ‘You know if I play like I’m playing and Nick plays like he’s playing, we have a chance.'”
Despite playing the last four holes in even par after being 10 under through 14 in the scramble format, Duval and Karavites ended up one better than the Cink, Goosen and Funk teams. The Goosens could have forced a playoff with a birdie on 18, but settled for a par after both Retief and 13-year-old Leo missed a 5-foot birdie putt.
Duval and Karavites (pictured above), competing in the Father/Son for the fourth time, posted a 21-under-par 123 total after carding a 62 on Sunday. One key point came on the 16th hole, where Duval and Karavites made a par — taking advantage of the scramble format after both players hit their tee shots into the water.
“Being here with my mom, my brothers and my stepdad, it was amazing,” the 23-year-old Karavites said. “We were playing so good and it didn’t seem like too much pressure. Just being with David out here, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
The Irwins finished 11th for the second straight year, this time going 67-61 for a 16-under 128 total.
For scores from the Father/Son Challenge, CLICK HERE.
