Punk Rich Family Bermuda Championship Joint Participation Sparks Interest, First Rich Champion Is Maurice's 'Family', Haas and Daly, K.J. Choi Rich Families Also in Spotlight
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "DNA cannot be deceived."
This is a story about 'father-son golfers.' On the 2nd, at the Bermuda Southampton Port Royal Golf Club (par 71, 6,828 yards), which concluded the PGA Tour Bermuda Championship (total prize money $4 million), there were protagonists who caught the spotlight. They are the veteran Fred Funk and his son Taylor (USA). Born in 1956, 64 years old, Fred showed his resilience by shooting 1-under par through the second round. His final standing was tied for 59th place (3-over par 287).
He succeeded in advancing to the third round for the 452nd time in his 650th career start. Since 1970, golfers aged 64 or older who have made it to the main event include Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, and Tom Watson (all from the USA), making Fred the fourth. Fred is the player who won eight PGA Tour titles, including the 2005 'fifth major' The Players Championship. Currently, he competes on the Champions Tour for golfers aged 50 and above, where he has also demonstrated his enduring skill by winning nine times.
Tom Morris Sr. (left) and his son Morris Jr. are the world's greatest golf family, having combined for 8 wins at The Open.
On the other hand, Taylor struggled with 10-over par on the second day and was cut, creating a contrast. He expressed, "I was happy and amazed to compete alongside my father." The first father-son champions were Tom Morris Senior and Morris Junior (Scotland), the world's strongest golf family. Morris Senior won the 'oldest major' The Open twice consecutively in 1861 and 1862, and again in 1864 and 1867, totaling four victories.
Morris Junior added a three-peat from 1868 to 1870, completing a four-year winning streak with his father. With his 1872 victory, he matched his father's total of four wins. The Morris father and son combined for an impressive eight wins at The Open. Currently, the most successful father-son golfers are Jay Haas and his son Bill (USA). Their uncle, Jerry Haas (USA), also comes from a golfing family, having won three times on the Nationwide (second-tier) Tour in 1994.
Jay earned nine PGA Tour wins and another 18 on the Champions Tour. Bill regards his father as a role model. He is a strong player with six career wins, including the 2011 Tour Championship playoff final. Although he has not won since the 2015 Humana Challenge, he continues to show undiminished skill. The Haas family teamed up as captain and player at the 2015 Presidents Cup, a golf competition held in Korea between the United States and the International Team excluding Europe.
John Daly (right) and his son Daly Jr. not only share golf skills but also resemble each other in appearance and fashion style.
The 'maverick' John Daly and Daly Jr. (USA) are also hot topics in the golf world. Daly rose to global stardom by winning two majors: the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship. He was the first player in PGA Tour history to average 300 yards per season, known for his long drives. He has collected 10 trophies worldwide, including five PGA Tour wins. Daly Junior was born in 2003 to Daly and his fourth wife, Sherry Miller (USA). He first picked up a golf club at age two.
He hits over 300 yards. Since the 2016/2017 season, he has claimed nine titles in various junior tournaments. Not only his golf skills but also his appearance and fashion style closely resemble his father. 'Tank' K.J. Choi (50, SK Telecom) also has a promising golfer in his second son, K.J. Choi Jr. (17). He has won more than 20 regional tournaments in Texas. Last year, he won a nationwide event in the boys' division of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-Star, demonstrating outstanding ability.
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