ORLANDO — When Tiger and Charlie Woods arrived on property at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, the cameras met them in the parking lot and fans were already lining the fence waiting for one of the rare sightings this year of the 15-time major winner and son, who recently helped his high school win the FHSAA Class A State Championship.
For Tiger, this is groundhog day. Another day of all eyes trained on his every shot, smile or grimace and limp. For Charlie, 14, it’s his fourth straight appearance in this event with his dear, old dad, and he has been around enough big events to know what to expect. He has shown great composure playing in front of crowds that are more interested in seeing what type of game young Charlie has compared to the Hall of Famers in the field.
“Welcome to the new Tour,” Tiger said, “where everyone has a camera phone.”
Here are four more scenes from Friday’s practice round at the PNC Championship.
Photos: Tiger and Charlie at the PNC Championship
Charlie Woods can dish it at his dad
The spotlight is on Charlie every December to see whether he’s going to follow in his father’s footsteps. Charlie shot a career-low round of 66 to win his age group at a regional qualifier for the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship. He went on to finish T-17. Charlie and his high school team, Benjamin High School, won the FHSAA Class A State Championship. Charlie shot 78-76 the last two rounds. It’s good to remember that he’s only the fifth-best player on his high school team, but Charlie, who has filled out since last year, has some game. As a result, Charlie moved back a tee this year and is just one tee ahead of Tiger now. At the first hole, he pumped a drive right down the middle, wedged to 10 feet and walked in the birdie putt. It was a birdie on his own ball.
“Dad’s not helping a lot,” Charlie said as he walked to the next tee.
Guess who interviewed Charlie?
Tiger Woods has shielded young Charlie from doing press interviews at the PNC Championship – as he should. But 12-year-old Will McGee, the son of Mike McGee and Annika Sorenstam, got the Charlie exclusive at the turn. It was the children of the two goats of the men’s and women’s game chatting it out. I’m told it was Will’s idea. Tiger stood and watched and playfully tossed a piece of a chicken finger at Charlie.
Chicken tender shenanigans 😂
Team Woods and Team Annika are enjoying every moment @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/CqJJ247VwJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 15, 2023
Will gripped a microphone for PGA Tour Radio’s Sirius/XM Network and asked Charlie three questions – at least two more than most media get with his dad. The best of them?
Will asked, “My mom was wondering, because she gives me advice on my swing but I don’t listen often…Do you listen to your dad on swing tips?”
“It doesn’t happen very often,” Charlie answered. “I mean, when I get desperate, yeah.”
Will: “Yeah, I understand.”
Who does, amirite? But Will, stick to the golf, leave the questions to the pros – and please don’t put us ink-strained wretches out of a job.
One thing that Charlie Woods and Will McGee have in common … reluctantly taking advice from @TigerWoods & @ANNIKA59 😂
Listen to our coverage of the @PNCchampionship all weekend long: https://t.co/aCgwlCDauJ pic.twitter.com/J0GqIjTjbe
— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) December 15, 2023
How’s Tiger Doing?
This is the $64,000 question. Is Tiger going to be healthy enough to play once a month next season and make another run at a major – it would be sweet 16 – and win No. 83 to break a tie on the all-time career victory list with Sam Snead?
Carson Daly, the TV host and radio personality, played in the pro-am with his son and popped up at the practice area Friday morning and greeted Tiger with a bro-hug. Daly and Woods played junior golf growing up in Southern California.
“How do you feel, bro?” Daly asked.
“I’m good, dude,” Tiger said.
With a big backup at the turn, Mike Thomas, father of Justin, came over to chat with Tiger, and asked the question of the day: “How are you feeling?”
“Cute,” Tiger said breaking into a smile.
“I was not expecting that,” Mike said.
When ESPN’s Michael Collins told Tiger, “You’re looking good,” Woods cracked, “I always look good. You don’t have to tell me.”
It’s hard to put too much in a pro-am let alone one at a two-person team scramble, but Tiger opted not to use a cart, which he is allowed to do at an event that is under the auspices of PGA Tour Champions. To see Tiger choose to walk, even at a flat Florida course, is an encouraging sign for those hoping to see him at Augusta National in April.
Bonding experience
The best part of the PNC Championship is seeing Tiger be a dad in public. It’s a side of Tiger we don’t otherwise see. On Friday morning, he broke from his warmup session to watch Charlie hit on the practice tee and give a few tips. At the bunker, Tiger gave an impromptu lesson and reminded him about getting the face open and to watch the leading edge. On the putting green, they putted to a tee together. But the best moment had to be as they tried to hit flop shots.
“We’re ending right there, that was nasty,” Tiger said. “Bleepin nasty!”
The apple didn’t fall far from the tee, that’s for sure.
