Charlie Woods heard the roar from the crowd but was in disbelief after the 15-year-old’s opening ace found the hole, hidden 176 yards into the back right section of the par-3 No. 4 green.
Once confirmed, her famous father’s reaction was worth the wait. Tiger wood gave her son a hug and a playful push as the PNC Championship showcase pairing briefly took the lead.
A man who has achieved everything in the game called it an “incredible moment”.
“We went crazy,” Woods said. “I don’t know what we did, but we enjoyed it.”
The record-setting fun was just beginning.
From there, it was neck and neck with the defending champions and playing partners. Bernhard and Jason Langer Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando until the elder Langer’s putt reached the right edge of the hole for a spectacular eagle 3 on the par-5 18th of the first playoff hole.
Jason Langer’s previous attempt seemed true, but he suddenly stood up and ran towards the hole. After the elder Langer’s effort fell, the 67-year-old, with two Masters wins, a record 47 wins on the Champions Tour, 42 more in Europe and now an unprecedented six at the PNC, has raised his arms in celebration.
“I was the beneficiary,” he said. “I played less break, and mine was able to bounce in there, roll. Lots of excitement at that point.”
Earlier, young Woods’ eagle attempt burned the edge of the hole to the dismay of a crowd supporting the game’s most popular player, returning to the golf course just three months after back surgery to play with his son.
“For us to be able to have this experience together, I know we didn’t win, but it’s the fact that we competed,” Tiger Woods said. “No one really made a mistake. We had to earn it, and that’s what you want to have. Hats off to Langers.
“They played wonderfully.”
Each team took the opportunity on several occasions to record under-15s in a scintillating fight to the finish.
The two teams remained tied from the 12th hole, trading four consecutive birdies until tying the par 3s at the 17th. Another birdie on the par-5 18th sent the competition to extra holes and set the tournament record at 28 under par as the crowd chanted “Charlie” as players left the green.
Nothing, however, could match the energy of the crowd or his family after the hole-in-one, even if Charlie Woods wasn’t able to fully experience the moment.
“It was just a perfect 7-iron,” he said. “Of course, I never got to see him come in.” So it sucks. But it’s okay.
For Tiger Woods, it was a career highlight.
“It was the pleasure of my life to be able to experience that moment with Charlie,” he said. “(Daughter and cadet) Sam on the bag, just our family and friends. That’s what this event is all about: connections and family.
Winning mattered too.
“It’s in our DNA,” Langer said. “Tiger plays to win, and his son plays to win, and so do we. But the cool thing here is you want to win, but you’re having so much fun whether you win or not.
“You could finish 10th and have a great time.”
Aside from a second-place finish in 2021, Team Woods was never seriously in contention, finishing no better than tied for fifth (2023).
Wear matching Sunday red their fifth appearance at the PNCTeam Woods matched Team Langer’s back nine magic, with 8 birdies over 9 holes.
Bernhard Langer gained a brief advantage with a short approach to 2 feet on the par-4 16th to set up a birdie. But Charlie Woods responded with a wide inside from 5 feet.
Team Woods rounded the turn with a one-shot lead over the Langers after a birdie at the par-4 9th. But a birdie on the par-3 12th from Team Langer sparked the dramatic duel between the Temple fathers of fame and their sons.
Two legends of the game left their mark on their sons and each other.
“Speechless,” Charlie said of Bernhard Langer. “He didn’t miss a single shot there.”
After watching Tiger Woods for decades, Langer was less stunned by the shots he made, including hitting a driver off the deck on the par-5 14th green 260 yards from the wind.
“He has a lot more game than most of us,” Langer said. “Even at 70 percent, he remains a force to be reckoned with.”
Team Woods will continue to be a part of it at the PNC Championship. Tiger and Charlie won’t be up for much longer.
“I’m confident they’re going to win this game in the next few years,” Langer said. “They are just too good.”
Edgar Thompson can be contacted at [email protected].
