Langers edge out Tiger Woods and son Charlie in PNC Championship play-off

Tiger Woods and his son Charlie Woods reacting on the 16th green during the second round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Dec 22. PHOTO: Getty Images via AFP

ORLANDO – Golf superstar Tiger Woods was thrilled by son Charlie’s first hole-in-one, but Team Langer got the better of the Woods duo in a play-off for the PNC Championship family golf event crown on Dec 22.

The ace by 15-year-old Charlie Woods at the 176-yard, par-three fourth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando briefly lifted the duo into the solo lead in the 36-hole two-player scramble event.

The youngster watched his seven-iron shot as far as he could, but it took the cheers from the crowd to let him know it had landed some six feet from the pin and rolled into the cup.

A beaming Tiger gave his son a hard hug, then a playful shove in celebration.

“It was a perfect seven-iron, so just kind of hit it,” Charlie told Golf Channel as he walked toward the fourth green. “It was awesome! I didn’t think it went in.”

The elder Woods called it “an unbelievable moment”.

“That two-hole stretch, that was his first eagle he ever made out there on three, and then his first hole-in-one,” the 15-time Major champion said.

“We heard it up on the green on the right and left, but we were totally unsure until the TV confirmed it. And we went nuts. I don’t know what we did, but we enjoyed it. It was an unbelievable moment.”

After grabbing a share of the overnight lead with a first-round 59, the Woods duo combined for a 57 on Dec 22 and a record-setting 36-hole score of 28-under.

But two-time US Masters champion Bernhard and his son Jason, who were in the three-way tie for the lead to start the day, posted the same score.

They made eight birdies on the back nine to reach 28 under for the event. The play-off hole was the par-five 18th, and after Team Woods had taken three shots, Bernhard calmly sank a right-to-left eagle putt for the duo’s second straight victory in the 20-team event.

The father of two sons and two daughters has now won six PNC titles – four with Jason, 24, and two with Stefan, 34.

He let his putter drop to the ground and took off his cap in celebration before embracing Tiger. They had played the final round together before heading to the play-off hole.

“I played with him probably a dozen times,” said Bernhard, 67. “I was one of the first to play with him when he turned pro. But that was a long time ago. He’s come a long way and won a lot of tournaments since. But they couldn’t have been nicer.”

He praised his son for handling the “out-of-body experience” of playing a round with Tiger.

“It was really special to be able to be out there with Tiger, and yeah, the crowd was more than anything I’ve ever played in front of, for sure,” Jason said.

“I’m not that competitive these days. I play a couple amateur events a year. But definitely today was not something that I am used to.”

Despite the tournament’s laid-back atmosphere, there were plenty of fireworks on the final day.

Paddy Harrington, son of three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, also had a hole-in-one, saying his ace at the par-three eighth was the first of his life.

“I’ve never been as excited,” the elder Harrington said. “I’ve never hit a shot that I’ve been as excited.”

The event was a chance for Tiger, who turns 49 on Dec 30, to get a taste of some friendly competition for the first time since he missed the cut at the British Open at Royal Troon.

Woods, whose 82 US PGA Tour titles are tied with Sam Snead for most in history, has said he has a long way to go to be ready to return to elite tournament play after undergoing a sixth back surgery in September.

He also continues to deal with lower leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash, but was able to walk rather than use a cart for both rounds in Orlando, where the rules would have allowed it.

“I did a few things here and there,” said Tiger, adding that for him the week “is all about family”, as his daughter Sam caddied for him.

“This is about bonding and it’s about having a great time, and we did that.”