On the Links Saturday’s professional golf results

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SHOOTOUT

NAPLES, FLA.

Harris English and Matt Kuchar won the Franklin Templeton Shootout on Saturday, holding off Wisconsin friends Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly by a stroke at Tiburon.

English and Kuchar also won in 2013 in their first start together and finished second the last two years.

“It’s a thrilling event to come out with a win, amazing feeling,” Kuchar said. “I think it’s just such a fun partnership we’ve had. We’ve had such a good run. To have our last four events together, to have our track record be first, second, second, first is quite amazing.”

English eagled the par-5 17th and they closed with a 7-under 65 in better-ball play to finish at 28 under.

“We had some good action there and it kind of came down to the last couple holes and kind of set up perfect on 17 for me,” English said. “Really reachable par 5 and hit a really good drive off the tee and knew Kuch was in really good position so I could play really aggressive. Hit a really good 8-iron right where I wanted to and made about a 12-footer.”

PNC FATHER/SON CHALLENGE

ORLANDO, FLA.

David Duval and stepson Nick Karavites shot an 11-under 61 on Saturday to take the first-round lead in the PNC Father/Son Challenge.

They birdied Nos. 1, 3-7, 13-16 and 18 to open a one-stroke lead over Fred and Taylor Funk in the two-day, 20-team scramble event at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club’s Grande Lakes.

“To go out and have fun and hit good golf shots, make a couple putts, that’s always enjoyable, but it’s secondary to walking around the golf course with the entire crew,” said Duval, who made only one competitive start in 2016 — missing the cut in the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Team Duval has been preparing for the tournament since receiving an invitation two months ago.

“Anyone you talk to will tell you that this is the best week of the year,” Duval said. “If you’re fortunate enough to be asked to come play, invited to come play, you don’t pass it up.”

The Funks got off to a fast start with birdies at Nos. 1 and 2 and an eagle at 3, where Taylor — a member of the University of Texas golf team — hit a 3-wood from 265 yards to 30 feet and made the putt.

Associated Press