Matt Kuchar with son Cameron superbly combined to post a sizzling 57 for a two shot lead on the opening day of the 2025 PNC Championship on the Ritz Carlton course in suburban Orlando.
The Kuchar’s combined brilliantly to birdie every hole with the exemption of the 4th, 12th and 14th holes.
So good was the effort that Matt remarked post the round that the father and son combo were in ‘awesome’ form.
Image – PNC Championship
Matt Kuchar on their stellar opening round…
“We got off to an awesome start. I mean, it’s so much fun to kind of put a drive out in the fairway, watch Cam smash it. It’s not even a consideration of whose ball we’re going to use.
So we have a lot of short irons in. Between his wedge game and my wedge game we ended up with a whole lot of short putts. It was a fantastic start.
He hit a wedge on the first to a foot. We both probably have some first hole, first tee jitters, and to get that one out of the way, hit it so close, got us off to a great start.
He was telling me, it was pretty funny. He was like, all right, that’s a solo birdie. I hit the drive, I hit the, I being knocked the putt in. That’s one for me.
Second hole it was my drive, my wedge, my putt, so let him know, all right, we’re one each. He ran a tally up. It was way higher than my tally of solo birdies.
He got the best of me today.”
Question to be asked: What holes did Team Kuchar NOT birdie ?@PNCchampionship @IMGgolf
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— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) December 21, 2025
Cameron Kuchar, who mostly let his clubs and his dad do the talking, added with a smile, “I played well today.”
In second place is the familiar sight of Team Daly
John Daly was full of praise for son, John Daly II, after round one….
“Well, we didn’t get off to the best of starts. We were even par after two and the Kuchars got hot quick and we kind of fed off them a little bit. It was just one of those great days, good ball striking. Like I said, if I could have given Little John a few better reads on the greens I think we could have went a little lower. He played great; I never really play that great, but that’s all right in my life right now.”
After winning two collegiate tournaments this year John Daly II explained his improved form was thanks to an improved attitude…
“Just my attitude has gotten a little better and just not really caring. Just going out there and having fun. At the end of the day golf doesn’t define me. Just happy to be able to play every day and go out there and have fun.”
Team Stricker is one shot further back on 12 under in tied third alongside Team Love and Team Korda.
Izzi Stricker on having her mum on her bag with her elder sister on her dad’s bag…
“It’s very calming to me knowing that they all have my back. It’s nerve-wracking for me to be out here. I’m not used to this type of stage and people. To have my mom on my bag, to have her right there with me, she is super calm and zen and calms me down. To have her and my sister out there is very fun.”
Steve Stricker on their goal this week…
“It’s a lot of fun. First of all, we come in here wanting to play well, wanting to try to have that opportunity to win tomorrow, especially the last few holes. That’s definitely our goal, to get that opportunity. But it’s also relaxing. It’s a lot of fun. It’s not as nerve-wracking for me, but it’s fun to be with them and have a good time with it.”
Team Love are playing their ninth PNC Championship and first appearance since winning in 2018.
Davis Love II on returning to the PNC Championship…
“A lot of fun to be back. Things have changed a little bit. All the different tee boxes. We used to play from the same tee box when we played. Obviously, it was father/son for a long time and now it’s a little different feel.
Things around the resort have changed. Things around the tournament have changed. It’s grown up and gotten bigger. But for us, it’s still dad and son playing golf. We dropped right back into it. I think Dru is right, we just had to think a little bit off the tees. Just depends on the tee up. It’s also the first time for the three granddaughters and daughter in law. So, yeah, new generation to see the father and son.”
Dru Love on his niece potentially partnering with his Dad at a future PNC Championship…
“I would love to caddie for Eloise here. I was a nervous on a few of those shots today. I could be a really good caddie. Start working with her.”
- With thanks Michelle Mair, IMG Golf
