When you’re the son of a 10-time major winner like Annika Sorenstam, you learn a lot about the game. Well, you also learn about her as a person. For 13-year-old Will McGee, teaming up with her at the PNC Championship has become a tradition. Heading into their third appearance together, 13-year-old Will let slip something even Sorenstam might not think about much herself. “She’s consistently trying to work on one thing,” Will confessed. Even after being regarded as the legend, Sorenstam wants to be perfect! 

It’s a small observation, but it sums up Sorenstam’s approach perfectly. “For me, it’s like I’m not going to move on until I hit it perfectly many, many times, and then I move on,” she explained. Will’s style, though? Total opposite. “Will is more of a feel player. He loves to experiment, hitting it high and low,” Sorenstam shared. While she prefers to grind it out on the range, Will’s out on the course with his buddies, testing shots and having fun.

That mix of personalities made the 2023 PNC Championship one to remember, with the duo finishing T11. The final round brought out some raw emotion, with both breaking down in tears during a post-round interview. “It is [emotional] because it’s so much fun. We have a good time together,” Sorenstam said, her voice cracking. “Obviously, we wanted to do a little better today, but walking together and having a good time, that’s what mattered. I was walking pretty fast on 18, and he said, ‘Slow down, Mommy. I want to enjoy this moment.’ That’s what we did all week.”

Fast forward to this year, and the duo is back with more confidence and experience under their belts. But for them, it’s not about beating each other. “We don’t play against each other; we play with each other,” Sorenstam said, and truly what a way to describe golf’s family affair. That’s how they’ve always approached it—friendly but competitive, with a bond that makes every round together special. “We’re friendly and we’re competitive together, and it works out best that way,” summed up the Swedish star.

The 2024 PNC Championship brings a new twist: this time, they’ll play from the same tees. But the fun for them has already started. 

The mother-son duo had their share of fun moments at PNC 2024

For Will, teeing it up alongside his mom must always a learning experience. But the 2024 PNC Championship hasn’t been all about practice and precision. The mother-son duo has had plenty of fun moments, too. Sorenstam recalled how Will managed to outdrive her during a practice round. “Twenty yards past,” precisely as Will chimed in, making sure the record was straight.

“I do have to hit it quite well to make sure I’m past him which is fun. But it’s one of those moments that I’m excited that he will, but then part of me is, Hmm, what does that mean about my game? I’m going this way, and he’s going up. I’m excited for him,” said the golf veteran. Will didn’t let the moment slip by, either. On the sixth hole, after stepping off the distance, he yelled across the fairway, “Mom, I outdrove you!”

This year, they spiced things up with a side bet. If Sorenstam won pro-am, Will was on dish duty. If Will won, he would get ice cream. What if both tied? then its ice cream first, dishes together later.

Isn’t this the entire sense of PNC Championship? Finding joy with the ones you absolutely love? As the event kicks off tomorrow, let’s see what Team Sorenstam add to their bag of memories this year.