Golf legend Jack Nicklaus cherishes time with grandson at Father-Son Challenge
ORLANDO, Fla.—Jack Nicklaus couldn’t help but have a little fun of his own after answering questions following Friday’s pro-am round at the PNC Father-Son Challenge.
The golf legend turned the tables on his teenage grandson and playing partner, Gary “GT” Nicklaus Jr., taking on the role of reporter for his own Q-and-A just off the 18th green at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.
“All you have to do is ask GT one last question,” Nicklaus said. Then he began.
Nicklaus: “Are you going to drive it long and straight?”
GT: “I am.”
Nicklaus: “Are you going to putt good?”
GT: “I am.”
Nicklaus: “Are you going to hit some good irons?”
GT: “I am.”
Those affirmatives gave Nicklaus all the information he needed.
“We’re ready then,” he said with a smile.
The Nicklauses, part of the 20-group field, are paired with Lee and Daniel Trevino for Saturday’s opening round.
It’s clear Nicklaus, arguably golf’s most iconic player, enjoys spending time with his grandson, and getting to play golf in events like the FatherSon Challenge only sweetens that enjoyment. He and GT were 15th in last year’s event.
“I think these are great events from a fun standpoint. I love playing with GT. I love seeing my boys come out and play,” said Nicklaus, who won the 1999 tournament with his son, Gary, GT’s father.
“I do what I do. Something your grandkids do and something you’re involved with with your own kids or your grandkids is far more important than anything I’ve ever done.”
Of course, GT is no stranger to golf fans. He acquired his own piece of fame earlier this year at Augusta National during the Masters Par 3 event. Caddying for his grandfather, GT used Nicklaus’ pitching wedge to record his first hole-in-one.
“I think I was crying. He was obviously ecstatic. It was great,” Nicklaus said.
Jim Furyk and his father, Mike, play golf as much as they can, but they’re competing in their first Father-Son Challenge.
They’ll be paired with Matt Kuchar and his father, Peter, for Saturday’s first round. Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champion and U.S. Ryder Cup captain this past year, also said the score isn’t the top priority.
“Matt and I both do this for a living. I expect that my dad and I expect Peter to kind of be somewhat nervous (Saturday). We just want them to kind of relax and have a good time and have some fun,” Furyk said. “The score is secondary. I think everyone wants to play well. We’re all competitive. But at the end of the day the score is so far down the list of what’s important this week. It’s really about spending time with dad and being able to play with him.”
Mike Furyk said he hadn’t hit a golf ball in six or seven months when his son called about coming to Orlando.
“We play a good amount of golf together, when I play golf,” he said. “I’m a full-time fisherman and a parttime golfer now. That really is true.
“I’ve been grinding, I really have.”