Dressed in Sunday Red a day earlier and with an adult beverage in hard, Chris Martini let loose his own Tiger Roar.
As Tiger wood As he walked onto the 18th green at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Martini shouted what many spectators were surely silently hoping for.
“It’s not over yet,” shouted Martini, 25. “We had Augusta in April.”
What awaits Woods, just four months before the Masters, will be determined by his uncertain health, his insatiable hunger and even the golf gods.
Saturday’s first round the PNC 36-hole Championship spoke about the future in a different way, perhaps in a more meaningful way these days for Woods.
The woods played alongside his son Charlie, 15 and with his daughter Sam, 17, as his cadet. The living legend wasn’t looking to go back and ward off Father Time, even though the father – and son – are tied for the lead with the elder. Bernhard Langer, winner of the PNC and son Jason and Vijay Singh and son Qass at 13 under par playing a scramble format.
Woods, who turns 49 on Dec. 30, returned to the event despite his seventh back surgery in September, pushing himself to be able to enjoy the game he loves with those he loves even more.
“I’m very rusty and, like I said, it’s a hustle, so we’re just trying to have fun out there,” Woods said.
Winning with his son while beating fellow Hall of Famers Langer, a five-time winner and defending champion, and Singh, the 2022 championwould be cause for celebration. It would also bring a touch of excitement to a sold-out crowd at the popular holiday event.
“Here we are,” Woods said. “There are a bunch of teams that are up there. We’ll have to do another good lap tomorrow.
Tiger and Charlie have been well positioned before.
In 2022, the duo too opened with 592 shots from the lead, but obtained a 65 on the last day. In 2021, Woods’ team rallied with 11 straight birdies and shot 57 but fell short of holes to lose by 2 to John Daly and John II.
Since then, Charlie Woods has significantly developed his game and developed his own following.
“I’m delighted to see Charlie,” said Andrew Watson, 25, upon arriving at the course. “I can’t wait to see the next generation. People are a little too harsh on grown-ups’ sons.
“I’m just excited to see him play his game, make some shots, outplay his dad and have a good time.”
Able to drive the ball a tee in front, the young Woods consistently outperformed his father.
“You follow me,” he joked with his famous father, a 15-time major champion.
Tiger Woods showed some pop for someone who’s been through back surgery for 13 weeks.
“I’m getting the tailwind, I’m fine,” he joked. “They’re big fairways and I can let it go a little bit every now and then. »
Woods will need to perform at a much higher level consistently to have a chance of adding a record 83rd PGA Tour victory to break his tie with Sam Snead.
“Tiger has a lot more wins, 100 percent – more major tournaments, more tournament wins,” Machel Hosang said. “We’re talking about the greatest putter of all time. For me, the greatest striker of all time.
“Any Sunday.”
Hosang, 46, said he has been a die-hard fan and true believer in Woods since watching him fend off Phil Mickelson in 2005 in their famous Duel at Doral.
Hosang’s son, Landon Tiger, walked 18 years with his father. Back home in Port St. Lucie, their Boston Terrier (Eldrick, Woods’ first name) wondered when his owner would return.
Whether Tiger Woods will ever actually return is a question that arises in the golf world every time he swings a club.
Six-time major champion Nick Faldo, who played with his son Matthew, said it became a bigger task each time, after each injury or surgery.
“Even though he was fit and healthy at 49, that’s an achievement,” Faldo, 67, said. “You’ve got to be there to play. These guys play competitive golf literally every day, and as you get older… We all know he’s special, but boy!
“It must be recognized that he continues to believe that it is possible.”
Edgar Thompson can be contacted at [email protected].
