New Delhi: Golf superstar Tiger Woods was ecstatic after his son Charlie hit his first hole-in-one during the PNC Championship family golf event on Sunday. The 15-year-old made the ace on the 176-yard, par-three fourth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, briefly putting the Woods duo into the solo lead in the 36-hole two-player scramble. Charlie watched his seven-iron shot soar through the air, but it was the crowd’s cheers that alerted him to the fact that the ball had landed six feet from the pin and rolled into the cup. Despite the thrilling moment, Team Langer emerged victorious after a playoff, claiming the PNC Championship title.
A beaming Tiger Woods gave his son a tight hug, followed by a playful shove in celebration after Charlie’s incredible hole-in-one.
“It was a perfect seven-iron, so I just kind of hit it,” Charlie Woods told Golf Channel as he made his way toward the fourth green. “It was awesome! I didn’t think it went in.”
Tiger, clearly elated, called the moment “unbelievable.”
“That two-hole stretch—his first eagle ever on hole three, and then his first hole-in-one—was incredible,” said the 15-time major champion.
Charlie Woods just made his first ever hole-in-one!!
: GOLF Channel pic.twitter.com/yEvN3HuYWP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 22, 2024
After an impressive first-round 59 that put them in a share of the overnight lead, the Woods duo combined for a 57 on Sunday, finishing with a record-setting 36-hole score of 28-under.
But despite their impressive performance, two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, who were tied for the lead going into the final round, matched the Woods duo’s score.
At the first playoff hole, Bernhard Langer made an eagle putt to secure their second consecutive victory in the 20-team event. With the win, Langer now has six PNC titles—four with Jason and two with his other son, Stefan.
Although the tournament is known for its relaxed atmosphere, there was no shortage of excitement on Sunday. Paddy Harrington, the son of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, also made a hole-in-one, marking the first of his life.
“I’ve never been as excited,” said Padraig Harrington. “I’ve never hit a shot that I’ve been as excited about.”
For Tiger Woods, who turns 49 on December 30, the event provided a rare opportunity for some friendly competition since he missed the cut at the British Open at Royal Troon. Woods, who holds 82 US PGA Tour titles—tied with Sam Snead for the most in history—has admitted he has a long way to go before he’s ready to return to elite tournament play following his sixth back surgery in September. He continues to deal with lower leg injuries from a 2021 car crash, but was able to walk instead of using a cart for both rounds in Orlando, where carts would have been allowed.
“I did a few things here and there,” Woods said, adding that the week was “all about family.”
“This is about bonding and having a great time, and we did that,” said Woods, whose daughter Sam caddied for him during the event.
