Tiger Woods and his rising teenage golf prodigy of a son, Charlie Woods, are back competing together in this year’s PNC Championship happening this weekend in Orlando, Florida.
The annual tournament pairs major champions with family members for a unique glimpse at golf’s past and potentially its future stars.
Heavy rain threatens to delay Saturday’s opening round, but 14-time major winner Tiger and Charlie will tee off last at 8:22 AM ET, playing alongside 2021 PNC champions Justin Thomas and his father Mike.
“He’s still growing,” Tiger remarked about Charlie on Friday after they practiced, noting his son has sprouted about 4 more inches this past year.
Like father, like son 🏌️♂️🐅
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 15, 2023
Tiger & Charlie are back for their fourth @PNCchampionship.@PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/cFemHFjk9k
Once simply an event for former champions and their sons, the PNC Championship field now includes all kinds of family pairings. Steve Stricker plays alongside his high schooler daughter, Izzi, while LPGA great Annika Sorenstam partners with her 12-year-old son.
Still, all eyes focus most intensely on the Woods team.
The towering Charlie’s talent and power off the tee continue increasing “exponentially,” leaving even his legendary father impressed.
Now he is a young man, broad shoulders, filling out. On Friday, Charlie casually rolled in a birdie putt on their opening practice hole while Tiger pulled his initial drive left.
Charlie will play the course from 6,576 yards at just age 14 thanks to his length, while his father plays from 7,106. Tiger even let Charlie rip first from several tees to take advantage of his distance.
The recoil 😳
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 15, 2023
Charlie Woods isn’t holding back @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/J4nT8Jjmke
As Tiger recovers from extensive leg injuries, their decision to walk the course Friday rather than use a cart showed Tiger’s progress.
While Tiger claimed 15 majors in solitary fashion for years, he cherishes the rare chances to compete alongside his rapidly improving son.
“We’re a team,” Tiger explained, adding the PNC atmosphere “has brought us closer together.”
The rival Thomas team remains close with the Woods’ as neighbors back in Jupiter, Florida.
Justin Thomas couldn’t resist joking, “I’m just glad [Charlie] keeps moving back tee markers,” given the youngster’s eye-opening development. Yet beyond the trash talk lies a bond between the major champions and Justin’s father, Mike Thomas.
For Tiger, who turns 48 years old on December 30, six or eight events next year would make for an ideal competitive schedule as he manages lingering injuries.
But this weekend offers a perfect opportunity before that light slate. Donning one of the WWE-style oversized championship belts awarded to the PNC winning team would mark an early holiday highlight and lifelong memory with Charlie.
Like Father, Like Son: Charlie Woods Emerges As Star At PNC Alongside Tiger