Former Coloradans David Duval and stepson Nick Karavites were bidding to become the first intact team to go back-to-back as winners of the PNC Father/Son Challenge since Bernhard and Stefan Langer did the trick in 2005 and ’06.
And though Duval and Karavites very nearly pulled off the feat — they were tied for the lead with four holes left in Sunday’s final round in Orlando — they were turned away by Angel Cabrera and his son Angel Jr., who were late additions and first-timers to the field after Curtis and Tom Strange withdrew.
Duval and Karavites, who trailed by two going into the final round, eagled two of their first five holes on Sunday, with Duval chipping in at No. 3. But after they tied the Cabreras with a birdie on No. 14, they parred their last four, allowing the Argentines (pictured) to pull away.
Duval and Karavites shot their second straight 11-under-par 61 to finish at 22-under 122, leaving them tied for second in the 20-team field and three back of the Cabreras, who matched the tournament record at 25-under 119. The Duvals played their final 27 holes of the scramble tournament in 18 under par.
The other team with Colorado ties, Aspen resident Justin Leonard and dad Larry, finished 19th on Sunday at 10-under 134 after consecutive rounds of 67.
Last year’s victory by Duval was his first in a nationally televised tournament since 2001, the year the former world No. 1 won the British Open. Other players with strong Colorado connections who have won the PNC Father/Son Challenge are Craig and Kevin Stadler (2002) and Hale and Steve Irwin (2003).
To qualify for the Father/Son Challenge, players must have won either a major championship or The Players Championship in their careers. The professional’s partner must not currently hold a Tour card.
