ORLANDO, Fla. – The story goes that Trevor Immelman has never lost to his son, Jacob on the golf course. That story comes with a slight wink and an asterisk, however, as there was a pact made several years ago between the two.
“So what happened was when he was about 15 ½, and he got his learner’s permit,” said Trevor, “he was starting to learn how to drive, and just like any kid, he wanted to have a car once he got his license.
“And so I said to him, OK, you know, started to get a growth spurt and some power, and he was starting to play better. I said, I’ll make you a deal. We’ll get a car for you, but here’s what’s going to happen. From here on out, for the rest of your life, I’ll take care of your gas, car and all the payments and everything, but whenever anybody asks you if you’ve beaten me, you’ve always got to say you lose by one.”
And, right on cue, Jacob added, “Never beat him.”
This week, father and son make their debut at the PNC Championship, and it’s hard to tell who’s more excited about it.
“I mean, to think that I’m playing in the same tournament as Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Nick Price, it’s unbelievable to think about,” said 18-year-old Jacob, who was born nine days after his father won the 2006 Cialis Western Open. “Never thought I would be able to say that.”
A freshman on the Clemson golf team, Jacob’s roster profile for the Tigers stands out among his peers. His favorite shot, for example, came on the ninth hole at the 2022 Masters Par 3 Contest.
Jacob was 18 months old when his father won the Masters, beating Tiger Woods by three. He grew up going to PGA Tour daycare and got his first set of plastic clubs as a toddler. Jacob doesn’t remember a time that he didn’t love the game.
Playing at this week’s PNC is a dream come true for the duo, especially given that they live down the road in Winter Park. Immelman, 45, plays a lot less golf than his son these days in his role as CBS Sports’ lead golf analyst.
As a golf dad, Trevor said his best advice for other parents is to treat your child the same no matter the score. Love them the same no matter the score.
“It might sound obvious, sometimes that’s harder to do, though, especially as they get really good and they’re being driven and they’ve got lofty goals,” said Trevor.
“The last thing you would ever want is for a child in any sport, any type of athlete to tie their self-worth to the results that are happening out on the field or on the track or on the golf course or on the court.
“You want them to work as hard as they can, dedicate themselves, but then go out and play free, regardless of the result, and just keep plugging away. So love them the same no matter what.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Trevor Immelman shares why his son will never beat him ahead of PNC
