Faldo, Azinger to renew rivalry at Del Webb Father/Son Challenge

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ORLANDO -- When many of golf's greatest legends team up with their sons for the annual Del Webb Father/Son Challenge at ChampionsGate in Orlando this December, two first-year players in the field will be renewing a rivalry that took on a greater dimension this past summer.

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Larry Nelson (left) won with his son Josh in 2007.

Nick Faldo, teamed with his son Matthew, and Paul Azinger, paired with the late Payne Stewart's son Aaron, will join the field that features many of the greatest legends in golf just three short months after the two opposed each other as captains of their respective Ryder Cup teams, a competition that saw the U.S. reclaim the trophy after an eight-year drought.

"Obviously the Ryder Cup was a thrill for me and the entire U.S. team, but this will be a thrill of a much more personal nature, being able to play as a team with Payne's son, Aaron, against so many great players," said Azinger. "We're looking forward to both families spending time together during tournament week, enjoying each others' company, and being a part of what I think is a very special tradition in golf."

In addition to Faldo and Azinger, who will both be playing in the popular 'Challenge Season' event for the first time, fans have the rare opportunity to see many of the greatest legends in the game's history on the same golf course at the Del Webb Father/Son Challenge, including Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and the 2008 FedExCup Champion on the PGA TOUR, Vijay Singh.

2008 Father/Son Challenge Teams

Paul Azinger & Aaron Stewart -- (1st year participating in event)
Billy & Bob Casper -- (10th year in event, best finish T7 in 1995)
Nick & Matthew Faldo -- (1st year participating in event)
Raymond & Raymond Floyd Jr. -- (14th year participating with combined sons, 7th year with Raymond Jr.)
Hale & Steve Irwin -- (14th year participating in event, winners in 2003)
Tom & David Kite -- (10th year participating in event, best finish T3 in 2004)
Bernhard & Stefan Langer -- (7th year participating in event, back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006)
Tom & Thomas Lehman -- (2nd year participating in event, best finish T13 in 2007)
Davis Love III & Dru Love -- (3rd year participating in event, best finish 4th place in 2006)
Larry & Drew Nelson -- (13th year participating with combined sons, 8th year as a team, won in 2004)
Jack Nicklaus & Jack Nicklaus II -- (10th year participating with combined sons, 6th year as a team)
Greg & Gregory Norman -- (3rd year participating in event, best finishes T6 in 2006 and 2007)
Mark & Shaun O'Meara -- (5th year participating in event, best finish 3rd place finish in 2005)
Arnold Palmer & Sam Saunders -- (6th year participating in event, best finishes 12th place in 2003 and 2004)
Vijay & Qass Singh -- (6th year participating in event, best finish T2 in 2006)
Craig & Chris Stadler -- (11th year participating with combined sons, 5th year with Chris)
Curtis & David Strange -- (5th year participating with combined sons, 1st year with David)
Lee & Daniel Trevino -- (13th year participating in event, 3rd year with Daniel)

Returning to the International Course at ChampionsGate for the fifth consecutive year on December 4-7, the quality of the field is assured by the fact that in order to be invited, the father has to have won one of golf's four major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open or PGA Championship) or THE PLAYERS Championship.

Tickets for the Del Webb Father/Son Challenge are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at (407) 787-GOLF (407-787-4653) or by visiting www.delwebbfatherson.com.

Fans across the country can also take in the action as NBC broadcasts the Del Webb Father/Son Challenge nationally on Saturday, December 6 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. ET and Sunday, December 7 from 3-6 p.m. ET.

Besides the lucrative $1.085 million purse, the teams also play to win the prestigious Willie Park Trophy, which is based upon the original championship prize of the British Open in 1960. The trophy, a red leather belt with sterling silver accents, similar to the belts awarded in modern times to boxing champions, was named after Park in honor of being the first winner of the British Open, the world's oldest golf championship.

Park won the British Open four times (1860, 1863, 1866 and 1875) and his son, Willie Jr., won twice (1887 and 1889). The Willie Park Trophy was created especially for the Del Webb Father/Son Challenge in England by Garrard, the Crown Jewelers since 1843.

ChampionsGate Golf Resort is the world headquarters for the David Leadbetter Academy, one of the nation's most sophisticated learning facilities for men, women and children. ChampionsGate Golf Resort has already received honorable mention by Golf Magazine's "10 Most Distinctive Places to Play in the Country" list. The resort features an impressive clubhouse with outstanding restaurant and banquet facilities.

The Del Webb Father/Son Challenge is jointly owned by NBC Sports and IMG.