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. (Relatives can’t have pro status.) Izzi, 17, is currently a senior in high school and a stick in her own rights, who committed to attending the University of Wisconsin and playing for the women’s golf team in 2024-25. Izzi was the Wisconsin Girls State Champion for her division the past two years and was named the 2023 Wisconsin Co-Player of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin. The golf gene definitely was passed along to the Stricker girls – mom Nikki played at Wisconsin too and earlier this summer played in her first USGA championship in 31 years. But the girls haven’t beaten dear, old dad yet, who was a force to be reckoned with on the Champions Tour, claiming the Charles Schwab Cup this season.
“I start to grind if it gets close,” Steve said. “Then I start talking to them and getting in their ear and trying to throw them off a little bit if that’s going to happen.”
Sisterly love
@stevestricker‘s daughters, Izzi and Bobbi talk family roles for this week @PNCchampionship. pic.twitter.com/Bmtjb556Cg
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 12, 2023
It will be a full family affair with Bobbi on the bag for dad and Nikki handling caddie duties for Izzi.
“We play golf, but never in a competitive setting. So to be able to team up with him and, like, analyze, come up with a game plan, it will be really fun,” Izzi said.