ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods and 13-year-old son Charlie weren’t about to let a nasty foot and a bum ankle keep them from playing together within the PNC Championship. The best way they played Saturday, they may even have the ability to win it.
The partnership Woods known as “Team Ice Bath” due to their injuries finished with a 13-under 59 within the scramble format, two shots behind Justin Thomas and his father, club skilled Mike Thomas.
Team Thomas won the championship belt two years ago, when Woods first introduced Charlie to a national television audience on the PNC Championship.
“They rubbed it in our face over Christmas dinner. They’re in an important position to possibly do it again on Christmas dinner,” Woods said. “But we’re going to have slightly something to say about that.”
Even being in the combo, much less the last group, looked unlikely the best way father and son were hobbling around The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando.
Woods, limping from plantar fasciitis in his right foot, chipped in for eagle from behind the fifth green, hit whatever shot was needed and closed out the front nine with putts of 20 feet and 35 feet.
Charlie’s left ankle hurt to the purpose that he dropped to his knees after he topped his tee shot on the par-5 fifth hole. He rode in a cart along with his dad — that’s allowed because that is sanctioned by the PGA Tour Champions — and even modified shoes on the practice range to see if it might help.
The young teen contributed a wedge to three feet for his or her first birdie, a 20-footer during their big run once they played an eight-hole stretch in 9-under par. Charlie finished the round with a 6-foot birdie putt, stooping to choose up his father’s coin before the ball even went into the cup.
“On some shots it hurt rather a lot. Walking was tough,” Charlie said in his first time in front of the media at this tournament. “Nevertheless it was all right. It wasn’t that bad.”
They still need to track down Team Thomas, who delivered two eagles and closed with a birdie from the bunker for a 15-under 57.
Though Vijay Singh and son Qass were the primary to post 59, the ultimate group shall be Woods and Thomas. Charlie referred to it as a “big family,” since the Thomas family spends loads of time with them at home. Joe LaCava caddies for Woods and LaCava’s son caddies for Charlie.
“You guys at the moment are seeing what we do on a regular basis at home,” Woods said about twiddling with his son. “We just have a good time. We needle one another. We encourage one another. It goes backwards and forwards. It’s just an incredible relationship, and it just deepens the bond between father and son. It’s been incredible through the years to have the ability to share this stage and this atmosphere with him.”
There may be loads of chirping.
Charlie made a 20-footer on No. 7 and Thomas said to him, “Welcome to the Father-Son,” a reference to the unique tournament name and a likelihood to rib him for finally contributing to the rating.
“We’re just 4 friends going out and playing golf,” Thomas said. “Charlie definitely hit his justifiable share of putts pretty hard today, so I made sure to remind him of that. He hit some really, really good putts and shots, as well, so it was good.”
Woods needed to withdraw two weeks ago from the Hero World Challenge, and he didn’t look particularly sharp in a made-for-TV team match last week.
Aside from the limp, he looked greater than capable with a golf club in hand.
“It’s what I’ve been saying. I can hit the ball, I just have a tougher time getting from Point A to Point B,” Woods said. “I’ve had a frustrating couple years. But again, to have the ability to be a component of this game and to have the ability to do that, I’ve missed with the ability to compete and play.”
His lone goal going into 2022 was to play at St. Andrews within the a hundred and fiftieth British Open. He wound up playing three majors and, “I’m in a position to play with my son.”
Singh and his 32-year-old son are playing for the sixteenth time, their best finish was a runner-up to Team Thomas in 2020. They birdied seven of their last eight holes for a 59.
Woods said he’ll start working on a recovery plan for his right foot on Monday. For now, he gets one other day along with his son as they struggle to win for the primary time.
“For him to be out here playing, I understand how difficult it’s for him,” said Mark O’Meara, who was 4 back twiddling with his son. “Normally each time you would like Tiger to do something, just tell him he can’t do it. And that’s often when he does do it.
“I don’t know what the long run holds, however it’s cool that he comes and plays with Charlie.”
