ORLANDO, Fla.: Tiger Woods has by no means had a household outing fairly just like the PNC Championship on Saturday, even within the rain. He was competing along with his 14-yr-previous son, Charlie, and his 16-yr-previous daughter, Sam, on the bag as caddie for the primary time.
The solely factor lacking have been sufficient birdies.
“It couldn’t have been any more special for us,” Woods stated after the primary of two rounds at The Ritz-Carlton Club, the place they beat the worst of the rain and fell behind 10 different groups.
Matt Kuchar and his son Cameron led the way in which with a 15-underneath 57, constructing a 3-shot lead over the groups of Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, David Duval and Retief Goosen.
Woods and his son have been at 8-underneath 64, leaning on Charlie’s booming drives even whereas having to maneuver again a set of tees, with Woods delivering a lot of the strategy photographs and neither changing sufficient birdie possibilities.
“I drove the ball really good today,” Charlie stated. “Didn’t miss a fairway and still managed to shoot 8 under. We just suck at putting.”
That precipitated Woods to shut his eyes and grin. “That sums it up right there,” he stated.
So a lot consideration is on their similarities of their swings and different mannerism, however the needle and the trash speaking is to not be missed.
Charlie Woods piped a drive on the par-5 fifth gap and waved it goodbye, as Justin Thomas might solely watch and smile. The 14-yr-previous additionally hit a giant drive on the eleventh, some 65 yards wanting the inexperienced, hit wedge to a couple toes and turned and shrugged.
The PNC is restricted to twenty groups of main champions from any tour, or The Players Championship winners, and a member of the family. That’s what bought Steve Stricker (three senior main victories this yr) into the sphere for the primary time. He performed along with his youngest daughter, Izzi, as a result of Bobbi Maria had Epson Tour standing this yr.
They additionally had a 64 whereas Izzi performed together with her favourite tour gamers — Nelly Korda — and now will get Woods and son within the last spherical.
Kuchar, a Players Championship winner, has performed with each his sons. Carson is leaning extra towards tennis (Kuchar’s spouse performed at Georgia Tech) and Cameron is all about golf. He not too long ago took a visit to Europe with the household, caddying for his father within the Dunhill Links Championship and the Andalucia Masters.
“It’s been a fun deal and his progression has just kind of been everywhere,” Kuchar stated. “You watch the whole game get better, whether it’s off the tee, he has an advantage with length and irons are great. I think anybody that sees him with a wedge in his hand comes away impressed. He’s got a great short game.”
Singh and Duval are attempting to win the PNC Championship for the second time. John Daly and his son, who performs at Arkansas, gained it two years in the past. They have been 4 photographs behind.
Sam Woods primarily performs soccer, and her debut as a caddie went easily. All gamers have been in carts that had covers for the golf equipment when it rained. Woods stated his daughter may come out to the yard at dwelling to observe them follow, however not often will get to the golf course.
Her mom, Elin, watched from exterior the ropes.
Woods is taking part in for less than the second time since having ankle fusion surgical procedure in April, and he’s sticking to his aim of attempting to play as soon as a month in 2024, presumably beginning at Riviera in February for the Genesis Invitational, the place he’s the match host.
Charlie is on the Benjamin School, which gained the Class A state championship this yr. That’s one of many few space that he’s 1 up on his father — Woods romped over the youngsters in his age group since he was in elementary college, however was not a part of a highschool championship crew.
“Having a win over him and having something he doesn’t, it feels pretty good,” Charlie stated.
This is their fourth time taking part in within the PNC Championship, their greatest end coming two years in the past after they have been runner-as much as Daly and his son. They have seven photographs and 10 groups to get previous to earn the Willie Park Trophy.
Charlie Woods is taking part in the course at 6,576 yards, utilizing tees one arrange from the information. It places him alongside Stricker and Korda, Jim Furyk and John Daly. That was one a part of their recreation that was entertaining. Woods stated his son has grown 4 inches, and Charlie stated his swing pace has gotten previous 120 mph.
As for the placing, that didn’t come round. They have one other day to attempt to determine that out and see in the event that they or anybody else can catch Kuchar and his son.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
