2005 MBNA WorldPoints Father/Son Challenge
Notes from Saturday

Jack Nicklaus, left, and son, Jackie, confer during the Father/Son Challenge, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, at ChampionsGate Golf Resort near Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Myrick)

WELCOME TO THE 59 CLUB: Buoyed by sizzling putting, not to mention a back-nine 29, first-round leaders Bernhard and Stefan Langer turned in the 12th 59 in event history. Both father and son notched 40-foot birdie putts: Stefan's coming on the 11th hole and his father draining one on the 17th. It is the fourth year for Team Langer and their first foray into the 50s. Sporting matching bright red Lacoste shirts, the Langers are poised to better their best finish in the MBNA WorldPoints FatherSon Challenge: a tie for fourth in 2003.

A SPECIAL GESTURE: Right after he and son Jackie finished their round of 8-under 64, Jack Nicklaus was the proud recipient of a portrait commemorating his British Open history at St. Andrews, which included two of his three Open championships (1970, '78). The limited-edition portrait, which features the St. Andrews clubhouse, a mention of the British Open champions at the storied course and front and back notes of the Royal Bank of Scotland 5-pound note that features Nicklaus, was presented to Nicklaus by longtime tour caddie Cayce Kerr and Miles Zoeller, son of Fuzzy Zoeller. It was the 500th of 500 editions of the portrait.

THE FULL NELSONS: A change of offspring (Josh for Drew) didn't mean a change in fortunes for Team Nelson (Larry and Josh). The defending champions carded a solid 61 - surprisingly their first in event history - to finish at 11-under-par 61, two shots out of the lead.

YOU DON'T NEED TO REVISIT THE 50s: It's preferable to do what Larry and Drew Nelson did in 2004 and shoot 59 on Sunday than it is to open in the 50s. The last six winners have all shot opening rounds in the 60s - ranging from the 60s turned in by the Nelsons (2004), Team Stadler (2002) and Team Nicklaus (1999), to the 63 carded by Team Floyd (2001). There hasn't been a winner open in the 50s since Bob and David Charles posted a tournament-record 57 in 1998.

61*: Jerry and Wesley Pate's 11-under-par 61 marked the second straight year the pair opened with that score. In 2004, they finished with a 64 to finish T-3, Team Pate's fourth top-five finish.

KEEP AN EYE ON. . . : Once again, Team Floyd (Ray and Robert) is lurking in contention of its third title and sixth family crown overall. The Floyds rode an eagle on the par-4 seventh hole to a 12-under-par 60 and their third 60 in event history. The Floyds won titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and 2000-2001 and lost a sixth title in a playoff with Jack and Gary Nicklaus in 1999. Ray has won three titles with Ray Jr. and two with Robert.

I'VE GOT YOUR BACK: Saturday's final pairing was one of the ages: Jack and Jackie Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer and grandson Sam Saunders. And true to form, Jack and Arnold treated the large gallery to a typical Jack-Arnie moment. After the Clemson-bound Saunders crushed his drive down the fairway, Palmer asked "Do I have to hit?" Nicklaus' response? "Nope." "He always tends to agree with me on things like this," Palmer said.

CLEAR A SPOT ON THE MANTLE: It was more swag for defending champion Larry Nelson, who along with Bob Charles, piloted the team of Mark Oldham, David Porter, Taylor Adams and Tournament Director Craig Umland to the Overall Gross title in the two-day MBNA WorldPoints Father/Son Challenge Pro-Am. Finishing second was Davis Love III and Hale Irwin's team of Seth Waugh, Clancy Waugh, IMG President and event founder Alastair Johnston and Michael Mann. The team of Ron Toler, John Byrd, Jerry Dickhaut and Jay Foley teamed with Fuzzy Zoeller and Curtis Strange to finish third. Wesley Pate and David Kite guided the team of David Booth, Scott Denman, Gerry Lynch and Michael Spragins to the Overall Net title. The trio of Alexander Fletcher, Forrest Culp and Terrance Thorton enjoyed a runner-up Overall Net finish along with the thrill of playing with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The team of Ken Rodi, Jim Sheffield, Bill Seering and Les Christian placed third, along with Hale Irwin and Lee Trevino.