Tiger Woods may be worth more than one billion dollars but it didn’t stop him calling for son Charlie to pay his own ‘debt’ after the 15-year-old hit a stunning hole-in-one during the final round of the PNC Championship. The pair were once again competing alongside each other in the annual father-son tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Club in Orlando, but had to settle for a second-placed finish after Bernhard Langer and his son Jason took out the title for the second year running.
Charlie’s ace on the fourth hole helped the Woods duo force their way into a playoff against the Langers but golfing legend and two-time Masters champion Bernhard sunk an eagle putt at the first playoff hole to claim the trophy for the second successive year. Victory for the Langers denied Tiger what would have been a first piece of silverware since 2019 when the 15-time major champion won the Zozo Championship, before a car crash two years later left his career hanging in the balance.
Tiger Woods ruthlessly reminded son Charlie that he had a debt to pay after the 15-year-old hit an incredible career-first hole-in-one. Pic: Getty/PGA Tour
But the Woods father-son duo still had the most memorable moment of the final round to celebrate – even if Tiger didn’t actually see Charlie’s first ever career hole-in-one. Even the 15-year-old Woods seemed shocked after hearing the roar from the watching gallery that told him his tee shot at the 175-yard, par-three fourth had rolled into the cup.
However, commentators calling the PNC Championship pointed out that Tiger actually missed Charlie’s tee shot after being momentarily called away to attend to something else. “Guess what? His father was actually not watching,” one commentator said. “He had to take a break for a second, comes back out, hears the roar of the crowd and Charlie Woods has made an ace at the PNC Championship to catapult team Woods into the lead.
Tiger Woods’ ruthless reminder to son Charlie after ace
Tiger and Charlie then shared a beautiful moment together as the 48-year-old Woods hugged his 15-year-old son in a real ‘proud dad’ moment. But Tiger soon showed his ruthless side after reminding Charlie that he had to buy drinks for everyone in the club afterwards, as in tradition in golf for anyone who hits a hole-in-one.
Cameras captured a hilarious exchange between Tiger and Charlie as the 15-time major winner told his 15-year-old son “you’re buying”, before the youngster tells his dad: “I’m not buying. I’m broke”. The momentous occasion was a real family affair for Tiger, who also had his eldest daughter Sam acting as caddie for the two boys.
“It was awesome. No one made a mistake today, so that’s the most fun I’ve ever had. On top of that I made an ace. I don’t think I can top that. It was awesome,” Charlie said afterwards. Tiger 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.
“It was one of the best highlights that we’ve ever had. We were talking earlier on the hole previous, that he made his first eagle. Now, he’s made his first hole-in-one. It’s a magical two-hole stretch. I’m just so happy for him and the enjoyment we had as a family. It was back and forth. As Charlie said, no one made a mistake today. We had to earn it and that was the joy of it. Hats off to Langers. They played amazing.”
Tiger and Charlie Woods had to settle for second at the PNC Championship after being beaten by Berhard Langer and his son Jason in a playoff. Pic: Getty
Berhard Langer and son Jason win for second straight year
Team Langer and Team Woods each closed with a 15-under 57 in the scramble format, sharing in a tournament record 28-under 116 after their two rounds. However, the 67-year-old Langer took the advantage afforded him because of his age by playing the par-five playoff hole 82 yards ahead of where Woods had to tee off from and 52 yards ahead of where the two sons were hitting.
Langer and Charlie both set up long eagle putts but the Woods father-son duo were both unsuccessful from around 25-feet away, allowing the elder Langer to convert his own eagle putt from 18-feet to win the title. It was a deflating way for the Woods’ to end their round after the incredible high that had light up the golf world earlier in the day. And the packed grandstand behind the 18th green proved fans were still thrilled to take the rare chance to see Tiger in action for the first time since The Open in July, having undergone fresh surgery on his lower back.
with agencies
