Nicklauses win Father-Son Challenge

Jack Nicklaus made a 10-foot (3-meter) birdie putt on the third hole of a playoff as Nicklaus and son Gary beat Raymond and Robert Floyd in the Father-Son Challenge on Sunday in Naples, Florida.

Jack Nicklaus made a 10-foot (3-meter) birdie putt on the third hole of a playoff as Nicklaus and son Gary beat Raymond and Robert Floyd in the Father-Son Challenge on Sunday in Naples, Florida.

It was Jack Nicklaus' first victory since the 1996 Tradition on the Senior PGA Tour. The Nicklauses won $150,000 in the $860,000 tournament at TwinEagles Golf and Country Club. The Floyds won $100,000.

"That's what golf's all about," Raymond Floyd said of the finish, where the Floyds birdied or eagled six of the last seven holes they played. "That's what stimulates people."

On the third playoff hole, the par-4 No. 18, the Floyds had an 18-foot (5.4-meter) birdie putt, but both missed, with Raymond's sliding by the edge of the cup. Jack Nicklaus, putting first, then drained a downhill 10-footer (3-meter) for the win. Nicklaus, 59, raised both hands in the air, then embraced his 30-year-old son.

"Special to win, especially special to win with your son," the elder Nicklaus rejoiced.

"Jack putted like he was in his 20s," Raymond Floyd said.

Jack and son Jack II designed the Talon Course. Gary Nicklaus, who qualified for his 2000 PGA Tour card last month, replaced his brother, who is recovering from a broken heel, in the field.

The Floyds and Nicklauses ended regulation with matching 59s and 119 totals. Craig and Kevin Stadler, who finished second last year, were third at 20-under 124. The tournament, which is played under a scramble format, features 16 teams of fathers and sons, with the father needing a PGA Tour major win to qualify.

The Floyds won the event its first three years, with Raymond Jr playing with his father. The Nicklauses finished third in 1997 and seventh in 1996.

This year, Tom Kite and 15-year-old son David were fourth at 19-under 125, followed by Jerry and 19-year-old Wesley Pate. First-round leaders Hale and Steve Irwin shot a 68 to tie for sixth at 127 with Dave and Ron Stockton and defending champions Bob and David Charles.

Father-Son Challenge Scores

Final scores of the $60,000 Father-Son Challenge on the 7,214-yard (6,565-meter), par-72 Twin Eagles Golf & Country Club course:

Jack and Gary Nicklaus 60-59-119 (won on third hole in playoff) Raymond and Robert Floyd 60-59-119 Craig and Kevin Stadler 62-62-124 Tom and David Kite 62-63-125 Jerry and Wesley Pate 62-64-126 Bob and David Charles 64-63-127 Dave and Ron Stockton 62-65-127 Hale and Steve Irwin 59-68-127 Billy and Bobby Casper 67-61-128 Al and John Geiberger 63-65-128 David and Andrew Graham 65-64-129 Lee and Rick Trevino 63-66-129 Hubert and Myatt Green 63-67-130 Larry and Josh Nelson 65-67-132 Charles and Kyle Coody 67-65-132 Tom and Eric Weiskopf 69-64-133