Orlando, Florida ....

When they tee-up over the weekend Darren Clarke and his 20-year old son, Tyrone will be the closest of team-mates in making their debut in the PNC Father-and-Son Challenge in Orlando.

Indeed, Clarke’s youngest son Conor and Tyrone’s brother is going to caddy for his big brother.

However during Thursday’s Pro-Am, and the first of two ahead of Saturday’s start to the event, they were like any other competitor and trying to score an advantage over the other.

The Pro-Am draw had them out just after 9am Thursday local time with the 2011 Open Champion hosting four amateurs and the towering 6-foot 4-inch Tyrone in the next group off the tee and also hosting four non-pros.

Darren Clarke teeing-off the 18th hole ahead of the PNC Father-and-Son Challenge. Clarke’s caddy Brad Whittle, who caddied for Scotland’s Russell Knox when he captured the WGC – HSBC Champions and Travelers Championship looks on. (Photo @tourmiss)

As they neared the end of their rounds Darren hit probably the shot of his round at the par-3 17th and landing his tee-shot within virtual tap-in distance, and this was minutes after the Royal St. George’s winning hero had put his second shot, and in the better-ball format, in water to the right side of the green at the par-4 16th.

Fortunately for Clarke’s team one of the amateurs stuck his second to about four feet and with the third member of the group stepping-up to hole the birdie putt.

Clarke and his team-mates jumped back in their motorised buggies and headed to the 17th.

In the group behind one of Tyrone’s amateur partners did the same in landing his second shot close to the flat on 16 and with the group also walking off with a birdie.

Tyrone, and a +2 handicapper at the Royal Portrush, stayed around to attempt to hole his 12-footer for birdie from behind the flag but sending his ball just to the right of the cup.

Tyrone Clarke lines-up his tee shot at the par-5 18th ahead of this week’s PNC Father and Son Challenge. (Photo – @tourmiss)

When Tyrone, and an Investment Management student at Lynn University in Boca Raton, arrived at the 17th his father was just boarding his cart to take him to the 17th geen.

“You’ve got to get it inside me here,” said Darren, issuing a challenge.

Tyrone stepped-up to land his tee shot some 10-feet from the hole.

When told that his father’s 7-iron was so close — no more than two feet — that Darren didn’t bother to read the putt, Tyrone said, “Really? He should’ve saved that one for when it counts.”

Clarke was after the round asked about when he first took Tyrone to a golf course.

“When I look back, I had Tyrone first on a golf course when he was about two or three years of age and I’d go so far to say he’s inherited my golf genes,” he said.

Tyrone responded:  “He’s taught me basically everything I know. Now that I’m a bit older I’ve seen a few local coaches.”

Tyrone described his game as a work in progress. He plays for Lynn University, winner of the NCAA Division II national team championship last season, and said he’ll wait until he graduates to decide if he wants to turn pro and follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I don’t hit it a mile, but I’ve got a pretty good short game,” Tyrone said. “I learned all those little shots from dad.”

Tyrone missed out on competing in the NCAA’s, but recently got his championship ring and said he’s practising five-to-six days a week with the golf team.

“If I wasn’t getting any better there would be a problem,” said Tyrone, noting he’s improved to playing as high as No. 3 for his squad in the fall season.

Darren’s game, by comparison, may be a bit rusty. He arrived in Florida on Saturday, and said the weather back home in Portrush hasn’t been conducive to practice. But he’s gearing up to practice for the next month at his home at the Abaco Club in the Bahamas in anticipation of chasing the PGA Tour Champions full-time next season.

Darren played in six senior events after becoming eligible following his 50th birthday. His best finish was T-26 at the Boeing Championship.

“What I learned is it’s a sprint. It’s three rounds, not four and you’ve got to make birdies from the word ‘go,’ “ Darren said. “I think I’ll be fine if I sharpen up my short game this off-season.”

Clarke and his son, Tyrone will tee off at 7.12pm (Irish time) with former Open champion Mark O’Meara and son Shaun.