18 December 2023 11:56 am Views - 239
They didn’t get the win at the PNC Championship, but Tiger Woods and his son Charlie once again stole the show on the final day of the exhibition event in Orlando.
Bernhard Langer and his son Jason won at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club with a stunning 13-under final round that saw the duo win by two shots over Team Duval at 25-under for the tournament.
Team Woods tied for fifth at 19-under after posting 11-under in the final round that included a chip-in birdie for Charlie — and more reasons to be excited about the 14-year-old’s future.
Charlie Woods only turns 15 in February but, alongside his father Tiger — whose return to playing was notable in its own right — drove a green 355 yards (325 metres) away and also showcased a sharp touch around the greens.
The highlight was when Charlie Woods expertly chipped in for birdie and capped off the magic moment with a fist-pump that was reminiscent of his father in his prime.
Tiger Woods watched and applauded while visibly beaming with pride.
Another special moment came in a green side bunker when the pair, one after the other, played brilliant splash shots to within tap-in range.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods says he has been encouraged by his performance in two December events, the first competitive golf for the 15-time major winner since April ankle surgery.
Woods, who turns 48 later this month, had not played since the Masters eight months ago before placing 18th of 20 in the Hero World Challenge two weeks ago.
“A lot of things are aching a lot more than my ankle, which is the way it goes,” Woods said. “I’ll be able to walk and play. We’ve been working out hard, been able to recover.”
Woods had struggled to walk four rounds after severe leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash but has said he plans to compete once a month next year thanks to a strong fitness recovery.
“We’ve been training every day, which is great,” Woods said.
“It has been nice to knock off a lot of the rust and some of the doubt I’ve had because quite frankly I haven’t hit a shot that counted in a long time.
“So having to post a score and hit shots on the right number, hit shots with consequence, it has been nice.”
Woods says his surgically repaired right ankle, which once had him limping through rounds at majors, is no longer such an issue.
“The ankle was fine because it’s now fused but other parts were definitely aching,” Woods said.
“The fact we were able to train right away and get after it, and start hitting balls, it was encouraging.”
CHARLIE WOODS CHIP IN AND FIST PUMP
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 17, 2023
Just like dad pic.twitter.com/m9GsNEMOI6