Tiger Woods is enjoying success at the PNC Championship while competing alongside his children. With his daughter Sam serving as caddy, and his son Charlie playing alongside him in a scramble format, the Woodses recorded a 13-under round of 59 and climbed to the top of the standings in the first round of the PNC Championship.
The legendary golfer and his son also posted 13 birdies on day one of the two-day PNC Championship, held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, CNN reported.
Charlie Woods hit his first hole-in-one
On Day 2, Charlie hit his first hole-in-one. “It was a perfect 7-iron, so just kind of hit it,” Charlie told Golf Channel, per CNN. “Down off the left, a little cut 7. It was awesome. I didn’t think it went in. I don’t believe anybody until I go up there and see it.
“To be our here in this environment and to have fun like this – it doesn’t get any better,” Woods told NBC. “This week is for each other, and we’re just rooting so hard for each of us to pull off each shot that we want.”
The Woodses lost the championship to Bernhard Langer and his son
Despite their feats, the duo fell short to Bernhard Langer and his son, Jason. As ESPN reported, this is their second straight year winning.
Though they lost, Charlie said that the experience, including their closing round, getting a hole-in-one, and the playoff itself, was “the most fun he’s had on the golf course,” per ESPN.
“It’s not even close,” he said.
His father added, “That was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie, make his first hole-in-one, [daughter] Sam on the bag, just our family and friends. That’s what this event is about. It’s about bonding and family I know we didn’t win, but it was the fact that we competed. No one really made a mistake out there. We had to earn it, and that’s what you want to have. Hats off to Langers. They played amazing.”
Tiger, who is returning to golf after undergoing successful back surgery in September, has played at the PNC Championship five times. The 36-hole competition brings together 20 major champions and their family members.
Tiger also faced serious leg injuries when he was involved in a car accident in 2021, is now playing competitive golf for the first time since he competed at The Open Championship in July. In the past four seasons, Tiger has only made 13 starts on the PGA Tour. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Woods said his injuries have taken a toll.
“I’ve had a lot of procedures over the course of time,” Tiger said, per CNN. “I’m not going to feel what I used to feel. And the recovery is going to be on the harder side. I can go for a day here or there, but over the course of rounds, weeks, months, it just gets harder.”
The 15-time major winner also spoke about the growth of his son, saying Charlie has grown “3.5 to 4 inches in height” in the past year while also becoming “stronger, faster, heavier.” The proud father was happy to talk about his son’s developing golf skills as well.
“Yeah, he beat me for nine holes,” he said. “He has yet to beat me for 18 holes. That day is coming; I’m just prolonging it for as long as I possibly can.”
