The fifteen-year-old Charlie Woods achieved his first hole-in-one during the PNC Championship held this week in Orlando, an annual golf tournament in which professional players compete alongside their children. The Woods pair lost the title in a tie-break against Bernhard and Jason Langer.
The event took place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Florida, with a spectacle in which Team Woods reached the final stretch tied with the Langers under a score of -28 after the regulation 36 holes, thanks to spectacular rounds of 59 and 57 strokes respectively. However, an eagle by Bernhard on the first extra hole tipped the balance in his favour and he ended up taking the title along with his son.
The most exciting moment of the tournament came on the fourth hole of the par three, when Charlie Woods holed a masterful iron that bounced near the flag before falling directly into the hole. “It was incredible. No one made a mistake today, so it was the most fun I’ve ever had. Plus, I made an ace. I don’t think I can top that,” an excited Charlie expressed. The moment marked not only a personal achievement for him but also a memorable chapter in the history of the tournament.
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Charlie was not the only one to achieve his first hole-in-one that day. Half an hour later, Paddy Harrington, son of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, did the same on the eighth hole. “I’ve never been so excited. I’ve never hit a shot so excited,” commented Padraig, visibly moved by his son’s achievement.
Despite the individual merits, the Woods pair could not surpass the Langers in the playoff. Both had clear eagle chances on that decisive hole, but Charlie’s ball stayed out of the hole, thus sealing the victory for their rivals. The result left the Woods in second place again, just like in the 2021 edition, where they achieved their best finish.
The performance of Tiger Woods, who was returning to competition after a second back surgery in 18 months, was also a point of attention. Although he admitted to being “nowhere near competitive shape,” he showed flashes of his talent by facing the shots with fluidity and ease. “The joy is being here with the family and enjoying each other’s company,” Tiger said, referring to the shared experience with his son.
The tournament further consolidated the bond between Tiger and Charlie, who share similar gestures and routines on the course. Although Tiger has insisted that his son should imitate Rory McIlroy’s swing instead of his own, as the similarities between the two are undeniable. For Charlie, the PNC Championship is a significant family tradition, as he debuted in this event at the age of 11 and has competed with his father since then, achieving notable results such as being runners-up twice.
