ORLANDO — Last week during The Match, commentator Trevor Immelman put Tiger Woods on the spot with a simple question: Is Charlie outdriving you yet?
“I hate to say it, but I’m going to admit it. He finally did it,” Tiger said. “I spun one, he tomahawked one and got me.”It’s not hard to see why. Charlie Woods comes into this year’s PNC Championship looking a little different than in year’s past. Specifically, bigger.
Charlie is 14 now. He’s taller, and he’s filled out his skinny frame with more muscle. And when he hits shots, contact sounds different than it used to. There’s more pop these days.
So, if he can sneak one past his dad, how far can Charlie actually send it? During Friday’s pro-am at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, I watched him catch one on the 10th hole that traveled 279 yards, with roll. It snuck past a bunker and left him a little wedge into the green.
But in many ways topline speed doesn’t tell the full story of Charlie or any junior golfer’s game.
On the next hole, Charlie lost one out to the right. It found the right side of the fairway, but traveled 232 yards, about 40 yards shorter than his driver just a hole earlier.
Charlie’s 255-yard average on the admittedly small sample size of two drives puts him above average for his age, and no matter which way you cut it, is impressive. But asked about Charlie’s new build, and the distance he’s capable of producing because of it, Tiger didn’t focus on his distance. Yes, he’s gotten bigger and stronger, but when Tiger looks at his son’s game, and how it’s developed, there’s a bigger change he’s been more impressed by.
Learning to improve the bad shots
“Playing tournament golf, you’ve got to make a switch on the fly and trust it,” Tiger says. “And that’s where I’ve seen the biggest growth when I’ve caddied for him in events or I’ve watched him play. I can see him rehearsing shots, trying to get out of a certain pattern.”
Ultimately, that’s been a more impressive development in Charlie’s game than his distance increase, Tiger says. Learning to play golf, on the good and the bad days. To know what causes shots like his second drive, so his bad drives look more like his good drives.
“I always tell him why we’re doing what we’re doing, so that he can retrace the steps. And when he gets a little off, now he knows what to go back to and understand that,” he says. “Understanding how to fix it when on the fly when I’m not around, it’s what I was taught by my dad.”
Tiger and son Charlie finished six shots back at the PNC, but the soon-to-be 47-year-old offered enough highlights to consider what recovery time could bring next year.
ORLANDO — A three-week dose of Tiger Woods in December provided a glimpse of his greatness while also offering a stark reminder of the physical hurdles he faces—while remaining the biggest interest generator in golf.
It’s tough to make much noise in golf as the holidays approach, but Woods has been on our television screens in spurts the last three weeks, culminating Sunday with the final round of the PNC Championship.
That Woods and his son, Charlie, 14, were unable to muster any kind of a charge at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort was hardly of any concern.
The fact that he was out playing again, enjoying time with his son, and still hitting shots that make you wonder how competitive he could be again if healthy, was all that mattered.
Tiger and Charlie managed a scramble score of 65, finishing six shots behind the winning team of Vijay Singh and his son, Qass. To forge a tie, Team Woods would have needed to equal their first-round 59, a tough task on a day where the putts were not dropping and fatigue—even in a 36-hole exhibition with a cart—was an issue.
The bright side for Woods: this is a long way removed from where he was a year ago at this event, when it was remarkable he even returned and yet put forth a very ominous forecast.
“I can’t compete against these guys right now, no,” Woods said at the 2021 PNC. “It’s going to take a lot of work to get to where I feel like I can compete with these guys and be at a high level.”
Less than four months later, he played in the Masters and made the cut. He played in two more major championships. He played again here this week, hitting the ball very well despite the plantar fasciitis diagnosis that knocked him out of the Hero World Challenge two weeks ago.
Still, he made it to St. Andrews, his biggest goal.
“It was a tough year but also one of the more rewarding years I’ve had in a while,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of setbacks over the last few years, so to be able to have—as I was alluding to this summer, I don’t know if I ever get back to playing St. Andrews in a British Open, but to be able to experience that maybe one last time at this level was very special to me.
“That was my favorite golf course in the whole world, and if that was it, that was it, to be able to possibly finish up my career there, I don’t know. That’s one of the reasons why I was kind of emotional because I don’t know if I’ll ever—I’ll play St Andrews again. I’ll play Open Championships in the future but I don’t know if I’ll be around when it comes back there again.”
Tiger and Charlie Woods enthralled golf fans with their play at the 2023 PNC Championship, but it was the snippets of father-son banter that made the weekend all the more entertaining.
Team Woods finished six shots behind champions Vijay and Qass Singh, shooting a stellar 13-under 59 on Saturday and a less impressive 7-under 65 on Sunday.
Tiger and Charlie’s play deserves to be marked with an asterisk, though, as they each battled through injuries all weekend. Charlie played on a rolled left ankle, while Tiger dealt with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, a condition which forced him to withdraw from the Hero World Challenge earlier in the month.
On Saturday in particular, Charlie struggled to make a normal swing, but Tiger came to the rescue with a handful of vintage moments. The 15-time major champion saved the day with a chip-in eagle, several long-range birdie putts, and clutch iron play.
When asked about what he learned from the experience, Charlie gave his honest thoughts on his father’s performance.
“I already knew what he was capable of,” Charlie said. “And then yesterday, that’s the best he’s ever played in a while. And that kind of shocked me a little bit. That’s really it.”
Tiger was visibly amused at his 14-year-old son’s response, and the audience got a kick out of it.
“Yeah, I used to be good,” Tiger said. “Again, it was neat to roll back the clock for him to see what I used to be capable of.”
It turns out that years of highlight footage might not have been enough to convince Charlie of his dad’s sheer greatness in the game. It was a few timely birdies in a family scramble tournament that did it for the 14-year-old.
Another witness of Tiger’s play on Saturday, however, needed no reminder of what the five-time Masters champion can do on the course when he needs to. Justin Thomas’s caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, was on the bag for Phil Mickelson during Tiger’s prime.
“[If] anyone who knows what I used to be able to do, [it was] Bones. And so Bones got a big kick out of that yesterday,” Tiger added.
Team Woods may have fallen short of the PNC Championship title, but they won when it comes to priceless father-son moments.
Tiger Woods has been a rare sight on golf courses in 2022, with only three appearances so far. All of those appearances came in majors, to little success. He said after missing the cut at the Open Championship in July that there was no chance of retirement. And he is set to be busy in December, with three appearances. The final of which will be at the PCN Championship alongside his son Charlie.
Tiger Woods has confirmed a third appearance in December at the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie.
The appearance alongside Rory McIlroy in the clash against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas comes a week after he tees it up in the Hero World Challenge.
While The Match at the Pelican Club in Florida is a 12-hole exhibition for charity, the Hero World Challenge – which Woods hosts through his foundation – is a 72-hole tournament.
Following his appearances in the Hero World Challenge and The Match, Woods will be in action alongside his son in the PNC Championship.
The PNC Championship features high-profile players in partnership with a child or parent, and is often fiercely contested.
As a 15-time major winner and one of the fiercest competitors in the sport, Woods is sure to take it seriously and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m thrilled to close out a great December by returning to compete in the PNC Championship with my son Charlie,” Woods said. “Getting to play as a dad makes the week that much more special.
“We have been looking forward to this week all year and we can’t wait to team up together for our third PNC Championship. This is such a special opportunity as a dad to get to compete with my son against so many golfing greats and their family members. It is going to be a very special week and I know that Charlie and I will have a blast.”
The PNC Championship takes place from December 15 to 18 at the Ritz-Carlton Club in Orlando.
CONFIRMED FIELD FOR PNC CHAMPIONSHIP
Stewart Cink & Connor Cink
John Daly & John Daly II
David Duval & Brady Duval
Nick Faldo & Matthew Faldo
Jim Furyk & Tanner Furyk
Padraig Harrington & Patrick Harrington
Nelly Korda & Petr Korda
Matt Kuchar & Carson Kuchar
Bernhard Langer & Jason Langer
Tom Lehman & Sean Lehman
Justin Leonard & Luke Leonard
Mark O’Meara & Shaun O’Meara
Gary Player & Jordan Player
Nick Price & Greg Price
Vijay Singh & Qass Singh
Annika Sorenstam & Will McGee
Jordan Spieth & Shawn Spieth
Justin Thomas & Mike Thomas
Lee Trevino & Daniel Trevino
Tiger Woods & Charlie Woods
While Woods will be centre of attention, a host of star names will be teeing it up.
The eye is drawn to the Nelly Korda and Petr Korda partnership.
Nelly is the world No. 1 in the women’s game, while her father won the Australian Open during a distinguished tennis career.
Woods has not been seen in competitive action since missing the cut in the Open Championship at St Andrews in July.
He said after the Open that he had no intention of retiring, but would tailor his schedule to suit his body as he continued to struggle with the leg injury he suffered in a car crash in 2021.
The majors are likely to be Woods’ focus in 2023, and his three appearances in December are likely to give an indication of his well-being.
A room full of journalists excitedly awaiting the arrival of a player, ready to barrage him with questions, and as the tension mounts, another player emerges, and hilarity breaks out.
This is a regular scene during press conferences involving American golfer Justin Thomas. He is well-known for infiltrating his fellow golfers’ conferences. From asking Charlie Woods about his hat to taking a jibe at Max Homa, It’s always entertaining to watch JT’s press conferences.
Here, we will look at three occasions when a player gate-crashed a fellow player’s press conferences.
#1 Justin Thomas asked Charlie Woods about his hat
During the 2022 PNC Championship, Justin Thomas showed his puckish side when he asked Charlie Woods about his hat. Young Woods was attending a press conference with his father Tiger Woods, when Thomas jumped in between, saying:
“I have a question for Charlie. What is the background behind the Snoopy hat? Thank you!”
Hearing the question, the 15-time major champion chuckled and covered his eyes, while Charlie answered by saying:
“It’s the hat that was in my closet and fits the best.”
#2 Justin Thomas served as an unofficial reporter at Max Homa’s conference
Justin Thomas and Max Homa are set to play at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic this week. Ahead of the start of the tournament, during a press conference on Wednesday, June 28, Thomas was an impromptu reporter. He asked Homa about his favorite pairing from last week.
“Hey man, Justin. I’m playing in the tournament this week. Of all your pairings last week, who was your favourite that wasn’t Wyndham Clark and why?”
Max had a hilarious reply. He said:
“Oh man. I think I’d have to go with Justin Thomas. He makes me feel tall and funny.”
#3 Tom Kim became a reporter at Rory McIlroy’s press conference
Kim pretended to be a reporter during Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy’s news conference at the Congaree Golf Club last year during The CJ Cup. He asked about McIlroy’s success, saying:
“Rory, I have a question for you. What’s it like having so much success as a young player? Coming out and many years on Tour, how do you manage all that?”
McIlroy warmly responded to his questioning, praising the rising star after his early achievements. He stated:
“I didn’t have as much success as you’re having at such a young age! Like I think when you start to have success at a young age, you’re going to – I think the biggest thing that I realised is managing your time. You’re going to be pulled in so many different directions.
“You’ve got one, two, three, four, I can see five sponsors on you at this point, right? So it’s just trying to manage your time to realise what got you to this position, right?”
It is worth noting that Tom Kim became a pro in 2018 and has since won 11 professional events and reached 13 in the OWGR.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren are no longer together, but they do share two children: Sam and Charlie Woods. Charlie, much like his father, is a golf prodigy and fans cannot wait until he is eligible to join the PGA Tour.
Tiger has often credited his mother for his success and the fact that she constantly supported him and always attended events. Is the same true for Charlie?
While she may not be present at every single event Charlie has, she is definitely a supporter and is very often in attendance. She loves and supports her son, as does Tiger Woods.
Tiger is at most events, too. In fact, he’s often competing alongside Charlie or working as his caddie and coach.
Despite their divorce, Nordegren and Woods have a strong relationship now. This was not always the case, as Woods rampantly cheated on her and she attacked him for it, allegedly causing a car crash.
Nevertheless, today they are on good terms. Tiger recently gave her a kind shoutout, according to Golf Magic. He discussed their split and their current friendship. Tiger said:
“It was too tough, too tough. But now, in hindsight, as years and years have gone by, we’re like best friends. It’s fun. She talks to me about her life, I talk to her about my life.”
“We try and help each other out on all occasions. And we work through it with the kids, the parenting program. She is one of my best friends now, and it’s all because of my kids. We’ve worked so hard, and I’ve shown her how much I love them.”
In another instance, both Titiger and Charlie Woods were at an event. They specifically asked the camera to be there on the first hole when they congratulated Nordegren for giving birth to a baby.
Naturally, she wasn’t at that event, but she’s at most and her impact on Charlie and on Tiger cannot be understated. Despite their differences, Tiger and Nordegren have put their kids first in an inspiring display.
When can Charlie Woods join the PGA Tour?
It’s been a while since an amateur golfer was as highly anticipated as Charlie Woods. Most fans of the game can’t wait to see him compete against the likes of Jon Rahm, Seamus Power, and others.
Ultimately, it will be a while until that happens. Since very early 2000s, the age limit for the PGA Tour is 18. That means that when Charlie Woods is 18, he is eligible to join, though not many do at that age.
Charlie Woods will be 14 in February, which means there are about four years remaining until he is even eligible to join the Tour (assuming he would turn down the LIV Golf like his father did).
That doesn’t mean he’ll be a pro in four and a half years, but he will be able to. It’s all on his timeline and when he feels comfortable doing it, but it’s hard to see Tiger Woods’ son waiting too long.
Charlie eased to victory in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Major Championship at Village Golf Course
Following in your father’s footsteps can’t be easy when the dad in question is 15-time Major winner Tiger Woods. However, his son Charlie is certainly making it look that way.
The 14-year-old has continued making progress in 2023, too, and is currently ranked 16th in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s boys 14-15 division – an improvement on his T48 in the 11-13 division in 2022 and T122 in the same division the year before that.
His performances in its tournaments have been consistently impressive this year, too, with Woods Jr finishing runner-up in his first two tournaments and tied for ninth in April’s PGA National Junior Open. Given those performances – and his mentor – it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising that he’s now bagged his first win on the Tour in 2023. However, the manner of it was especially impressive.
Woods didn’t just win last week’s Major Championship at Village Golf Course in Florida, he cruised to the title by an incredible eight shots over its 36 holes. Woods’ opening round 72 included four birdies and the following day, he performed even better, with five birdies in his round of 71 to finish far ahead of closest competitor Noah Manly.
One of the most eye-catching aspects of Woods’ performance, which was watched by Tiger, was his score over the par-5s. Tiger has previously admitted that his son can now outdrive him, and it looks as though he put that big-hitting ability to good use as, over the two rounds, Charlie finished five-under in the eight par-5s he played, with a bogey on his 36th and final hole the only blemish.
By that point, of course, Woods could afford to relax a little given the huge lead he had put together, although it’s unlikely his famous father would allow him to rest on his laurels.
Back in December, Tiger admitted to trying to toughen his son up with mind games, saying: “It’s non-stop, non-stop. It’s trying to get him – if I can get into his head, that means someone else can get into his head. It’s going to get to a point where I can’t get into his head, and then no one else can get in there either. That’s what my dad believed. You’ve got to be willing to take it.”
Considering the comfortable nature of his win, it seems as though Woods Sr is getting through to his son as his progression continues.
On that note, it doesn’t appear as though Charlie will have much to fear by the time he’s eligible for the boys 16-18 division, either. His remarkable performance at the weekend saw him finish nine shots better off than the winner in the more senior category, too.
Charlie Woods was present at the first round of the US Open 2023, which began on Thursday, June 15, at the North Course of the Los Angeles Country Club, where the event is taking place.
Charlie has quickly become a fan favorite since his impressive show at the PNC Championship in 2021. On Wednesday, he was spotted practicing at the Riviera Golf Club, which is not too far from the LACC.
At the US Open, Round 1, Woods junior was sporting a casual look with fuzzy hair. The photograph went viral on social media, with a lot of people sharing it.
There were few witty responses to Charlie’s presence at the US Open, but many also felt that he should be left alone and shouldn’t be followed that much by the media.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions from the fans:
“Sleepwalker?”
“I’m saying this with the upmost respect, Charlie looks like a feline that has taken form as a human. At least in this shot anyways. Being TIGERS son and all, it basically solidifies he will have an unbelievable golf career. Look forward to watching it.”
“Charlie would shoot a 62 with these course conditions. Not my open. Better toughen up tomorrow”
“Can we stop doing this… please try to let this kid have a semi normal life and not track his every move”
“Two points…1) Leave the kid alone and let him enjoy his life. 2) Get a life you loser.”
“Future champion 🏆 he already has a target eye 🫣 the time will surely come”
“Anyone going to point out that he looks like the Grinch?”
“Little cat 🐅”
“Looks like he just woke up from a nap.”
“As much as I wish he could and would be left alone….he has pretty much made it known he wants to play and be in the spotlight. I truly feel Tiger gave him the option to stay away or step up and he chose to step up. I respect the young man for that 👊 . Do your thing Charlie.”
When will Charlie Woods compete next?
Charlie Woods has been actively participating in junior golf events, but fans will not be able to see him play anywhere before the 2023 PNC Championship. However, his participation in the father-son championship depends on Tiger’s fitness. The 15-time major winner is out of action after undergoing subtalar fusion surgery in April.
For the uninitiated, Tiger sustained many injuries due to a severe car accident two years ago, and since then, recovery has been a struggle for him. This year, he competed in two events: the Genesis Invitational and the Masters.
Charlie Woods and Tiger Woods finished T8 at the 2022 PNC Championship after finishing as runner-ups in the previous edition. In the 2021 Championship, he and Charlie made 11 straight birdies, falling just a couple of strokes short of the winning pair of John Daly and John Daly II.
The days of cool-headed rivalry between John Daly and Tiger Woods are long gone. Now, the competition among the golfing giants has been passed on to their sons. Though there is massive respect for each other in the newfound rivalry, Daly once talked about Charlie Woods’ abilities while comparing them to his son, John Daly II.
What message did John Daly have for Charlie Woods?
In the podcast, the Wild Thing discussed several of his stories from his three-decade-long career. However, as the conversation was shifted to the future generation, Daly shared some words for Charlie as well as his son, who also was part of the podcast.
Slim, who is part of the Nelk Boys, asked the two-time Major winner about Charlie’s golf swing. “All I can tell you about is if Charlie can hit it as solid as my son in six years, then God Bless him”, said John Daly. During the time of the interview, Tiger’s son was 12 years old while Daly II was 18.
Charlie may already be a solid player off the tee, but maintaining it throughout has been a tremendous challenge. Hence, Daly believed that if he can hit solid as his son John Daly II, then he will be a great golfer for sure. Moreover, for the past few years, though Charlie’s putting and iron play had been impeccable, the struggle with consistency remains constant.
Nonetheless, the young Woods is currently only 13 years of age with plenty of room for improvement. Both Daly and Woods are in the final phase of their careers. However, they have already begun breeding the talent for the future of golf. The fans will soon witness Charlie and Daly II compete against each other at Majors.
What are your thoughts on the future rivalry between Daly II and Charlie? Let us know in the comments section below.
Charlie Woods is hurting, too? Charlie Woods is hurting, too.
But you can exhale.
“You know these kids: They’ll be running by tomorrow,” Notah Begay said.
Indeed. That’s the good news. But the unfortunate update is that Charlie, the 14 year-old son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, may be slowed for this weekend’s PNC Championship, the event that pairs major winners with family members. A left leg limp from the younger Woods was noticeable during Friday’s pro-am, and on the Golf Channel broadcast, Begay, an analyst and Woods family friend, said it came after he rolled his ankle while hitting on the range.
After the round, Tiger was asked in a press conference if Charlie is feeling OK.
“He is,” Tiger said. “His ankle’s not exactly — well, it’s better than mine.”
He chuckled, then added, “We’ll be ready come game time tomorrow.”
Following Tiger’s presser, Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis reported that Woods said Charlie’s limp was the result of a “growth spurt.”
Whatever the cause of his discomfort, Charlie joins his father at less than 100 percent, though Tiger’s troubles are in the opposite leg. The elder Woods is battling plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and that injury came as an extension of multiple injuries to his right leg suffered during a car crash in early 2021.
“I know people at home are going: ‘You got to be kidding me. What’s going with Charlie? Does he have plantar fasciitis?’” announcer Dan Hicks said on the broadcast. “But apparently, Notah Begay, Charlie sprained his ankle while hitting golf balls on the range?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t call it a sprain,” Begay said. “He just kind of rolled it. I asked him, he’s like, ah, it’s just a little bit wobbly at this point.”
“We got limping Woods,” Hicks said. “That’s not what we signed up for here. Man, if they win this thing, it will be the most incredible win ever.”
Ahead of the pro-am, the PGA Tour’s Twitter account had filmed the younger Woods warming up, and the Twitter account @TWlegion noticed that his left leg was taped up. On the broadcast, he limped, but played on, and he and dad are scheduled to start their first round at just after noon ET on Saturday.
On Friday, Hicks and analyst Peter Jacobsen noticed the younger Woods’ limp multiple times.
“I want to be like my dad, but I’m even going to incorporate the limp,” Jacobsen said.
“He’s going to extremes here,” Hicks said.
Friday’s news follows a year from Tiger Woods where he played in just three events — the Masters, PGA Championship and Open Championship. He was set to play in the Hero World Championship earlier this month, but withdrew three days ahead of the start due to the plantar fasciitis.
