With the Langers and Woods taking centre stage at the recent 2024 PNC Championship, we look at the most iconic father-son teams ever in golf.
Tiger Woods was an infant when Earl Woods spotted his prodigious talent, brought to light as the young legend hit a golf shot from the family’s improvised driving range.
That was the start of an unprecedented journey which saw Woods setting benchmarks in world golf. As he strove to become a champion, the steady figure of Earl Woods, often unnoticed in the background, nurtured Woods’ quest for excellence.
The 2005 Masters Tournament was Woods’ turf, but Earl Woods was absent. Resplendent in the Green Jacket, a grateful son acknowledged his seriously ill father in a poignant victory speech.
“Every time I’ve won this tournament dad’s been there to give me a hug, and he wasn’t there today. I can’t wait to get home and see him and give him a big bear hug.”
Best friend, role model, coach, and mentor are terms Tiger Woods and world golf’s stars have used to describe the biggest influences in their lives. Following the 2024 PNC Championship, where the father-son duos of the Langers and the Woods took centre stage, we take a look at the most iconic father-son teams in world golf.
The most iconic father-son teams in golf
Old and Young Tom Morris
Old and Young Tom Morris, 1870 – 1875. (Image: Thomas Rodger (1832–1883) – Golf, official USGA Bulletin, Juli 1902, page 17/Public Domain/Wikimedia)
In the nineteenth century, Old Tom Morris and his eldest son Tommy, often known as Young Tom, were two of Scotland’s most renowned athletes. The duo played a significant role in golf’s evolution and development of the Open Championship, the oldest Major. Hailing from St Andrews, father and son won the Open four times each.
Apart from being a seasoned player, Old Tom had a significant influence on golf course design. He crafted over 100 layouts throughout the British Isles, including Prestwick, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and the Old Course, in addition to numerous other world-renowned layouts. Inducted into numerous sporting halls of fame, Old Tom led a long life and passed away in 1908 at 86. Sadly, Young Tom passed away at 24, just four months after losing his wife and child in a traumatic childbirth.
Willie Park Sr. & Willie Park Jr.
Willie Park Sr. and Jr. are known to be one of the most iconic father-son teams in world golf. (Images: Public Domain/Wikimedia)
Another prominent father-son team was Willie Park Sr. and Jr., who hailed from the same era as the iconic Morrises.
Park Sr. won four Open Championships in 1860, ’63, ’66, and ’75, while Park Jr. claimed two in 1887 and 1889. While his father was a phenomenal player, Park Jr. went on to become a successful businessman, golf writer, and designer. His book, The Game of Golf, is still loved today. While in his mid-30s, when the sport had started to gain global fame and acceptance, Park Jr. became interested in golf design. With 170 designs throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, and Canada, Park Jr. was among the first to become a full-time golf course architect.
Jack and Gary Nicklaus
When the father is golf’s most decorated Major champion, expectations are high; yet, Gary Nicklaus made a commendable effort to carve out a pro career for himself. He played on mini tours, and in Europe for most of his early career until, on his eighth attempt, he qualified for the PGA Tour in 1999. The BellSouth Classic in 2000 saw him and Phil Mickelson share the 54-hole lead until the course was rendered unplayable by heavy rain. As a result, the final round was called off and the two players squared off in a sudden-death playoff. Mickelson halted Nicklaus’ fairytale run by winning the rain-shortened tournament.
As for Nicklaus Sr, it isn’t for nothing that he is referred to as “the Golden Bear”. His incredible legacy includes victories spanning his record 18 Majors in 73 wins on the PGA Tour, 9 victories on the European Tour, 10 victories on the PGA Tour Champions, 3 victories on the PGA Tour of Australasia, and several other wins.
Claude Harmon Sr. and Butch Harmon
Well-known figures in American golf, father-son duo Claude Harmon Sr. and Butch Harmon had a lasting influence in a variety of ways. A prodigy, Harmon Sr. competed for the US Amateur in 1931 at 15. He became a club professional in 1948 and won the Masters that year. In addition to making the semifinals of the PGA Championship three times (1945, 1948, and 1953), Harmon was placed third at his home course, Winged Foot, in the 1959 U.S. Open. He worked as a professional at a number of elite golf clubs, and was good friends with the famed Ben Hogan, with whom he played regularly.
Harmon Sr’s sons went on to become golf instructors; among them, Butch is the most renowned, having instructed players like Greg Norman, Dustin Johnson, and Tiger Woods. A former PGA Tour player, Butch is also a regular Sky Sports presenter. His son (Claude Harmon III) is following in his footsteps in coaching and broadcasting.
Craig and Kevin Stadler
A 13-time PGA Tour winner, Craig Stadler survived a back-nine meltdown to claim the Masters in 1982 in a playoff with Dan Pohl. A favorite among the galleries, Stadler was nicknamed “The Walrus” for his thick mustache and stoic frame. He played the Augusta National every year until 2014, when Kevin made history by qualifying for the first time following his victory at the Phoenix Open. The father-son team became the first to compete in the Masters, and remains a first at the Augusta National. Stadler Jr achieved success on both the PGA Tour and European Tour but stopped competing after the 2015 John Deere Classic, due to injury.
Jay and Bill Haas
In his long career which spans 21 years, Jay Haas won nine times, putting in three Ryder Cup appearances. His son, Bill, has won six times on the PGA Tour and was part of three Presidents Cup teams (2011, 2013, and 2015), making history as the only American to compete in three Presidents Cups without being selected for the Ryder Cup.
Bill’s crowning glory came when he won the 2011 Tour Championship in a playoff with Hunter Mahan with a spectacular up-and-down at the East Lake Golf Club. When PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem handed him the Tour Championship trophy, Bill inquired about the FedEx Cup winner, which was then selected by a complex points system. Finchem replied, ‘Congratulations, you won both’, and it became one of the greatest FedEx Cup moments of all time.
Joe Kirkwood Sr. and Joe Kirkwood Jr.
Joe Kirkwood Sr. (left) and Joe Kirkwood Jr. (right) are known as one of the most iconic father-son teams who have played golf. (Images: Public Domain/Wikimedia, IMDb)
Joe Kirkwood Sr. became the first Australian champion on the PGA Tour when he won the 1923 California Open. He had 13 wins, notched three T4s at the Open Championship (1923, 1927, 1934), and was placed third in the 1930 PGA Championship. He hit 29 holes-in-one, including two in a single round, and eventually became a trick-shot performer. Senior and Junior became the first father-son team to make cut at the 1948 US Open (a record they held till 2004). In 1949, Kirkwood Jr. won the Philadelphia Inquirer Open in the first of three titles before moving to Hollywood, where he gained popularity for playing boxer Joe Palooka.
Julius Boros and Guy Boros
Despite not turning professional until the ripe old age of 29, Julius Boros had an incredible career. He won the US Open in 1952 and 1963, and in 1968 became the oldest Major champion, then at 48, by winning the PGA Championship. Golf lovers were enamored by his seemingly effortless swing, and he was also well-known for impressive performances on challenging golf courses. His son, Guy, had big shoes to fill, but did not quite reach his father’s stature. Nevertheless, the younger Boros competed in multiple Majors, won three times on the Nationwide Tour, and the Greater Vancouver Open on the PGA Tour in 1996.
Robert and Dougie Macintyre
Robert MacIntyre won his first PGA Tour title, the RBC Canadian Open on June 2, 2024. When the 27-year-old could not find a caddy for the tournament, he reached out to his father, Dougie. The principal greenskeeper of Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban, Scotland, came on board to support his son, and watched him tap in for his first title in the US. The journey started when Robert was 12, and he had his first hole-in-one at the course which was under his father’s upkeep.
Tiger and Charlie Woods
The most popular father-son team comprises an all-time great and a prodigy expected to surpass his father’s legendary status. Tiger and Charlie Woods have a solid on-course relationship and were runners-up at the 2021 PNC Championship. At the 2023 PNC Championship, Tiger and Charlie shot 11-under-61, which was three strokes better than their opening round performance. Team Woods tied for fifth after finishing 36 holes at 19-under 125, six strokes behind the winners. At the 2024 Masters, visuals of the younger Woods ‘coaching’ Tiger at the range were adorable. Charlie walked with his father as he prepped at Pinehurst No. 2 ahead of the 2024 US Open. The duo recently played together again at the 2024 PNC Championship.
(Main and featured image: @pncchampionship/PNC Championship/Instagram)
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
