ORLANDO – Steve Stricker never thought he’d have a chance to play in the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. After all, he never won any of the four major championships or the Players Championship, which is a requirement to be invited to the prestigious two-person scramble competition.
“So we never thought, at least I didn’t, we’d have the opportunity to play here. So it’s actually a blessing and a surprise that we’re here,” Stricker said.
How it happened is a story in itself. Rules, the saying goes, are meant to be broken. Tournament founder Alastair Johnston said there’s precedence such as the time he permitted Paul Azinger to play with Aaron Stewart, Payne Stewart’s son after he died in a plane crash or a pro such as Bubba Watson to play with a father-in-law. So, as of this year, Johnston decided senior majors are good enough to enter the field.
“I’m not denying it, I did it. As I told a couple of players who will remain nameless, I’m in charge so eat it!” Johnston said, noting that he’s not allowed to invite LIV members such as Watson and LIV CEO Greg Norman, both past participants, which limited his options.
PNC: Saturday tee times | Photos
Stricker said it has been a several-year process and recalled PGA Tour Champions rules official Joe Terry inquiring with him if he would be interested in participating.
“Joe T. mentioned that they were trying to maybe change the rules, get us in — I don’t even know what the rules are, who gets invited, right? That’s kind of a mystery to me,” Stricker said. “So Joe T. put it in my ear a couple years ago, and he asked if we would play. I’m like, ‘Well, yeah, most definitely we’ll play if we have the opportunity.’ ”
Stricker figured he’d been passed over again when he hadn’t heard any news but about a month ago an invitation from Johnston was sent directly to Stricker’s agent/brother-in-law Mario Tiziani.
“He immediately called me because he knew how excited I was going to be,” Stricker said.
Izzi Stricker, daughter of Steve Stricker, reacts after making a putt on the fifth hole prior to the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 14, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The invite specified that he had to play with daughter Izzi, not older daughter Bobbi, who is pursuing a professional career, in the 36-hole two-person scramble competition, which begins on Saturday….
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