ORLANDO (Florida) – Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods stepped up to the microphones at the flash area of the PNC Championship. They reflexively crossed their arms above their chests as they walked towards the cameras. They mirrored each other perfectly, as they did so many times Saturday afternoon.
Charlie, 13 years old, met the media for the first time in a formal setting. He handled the situation with ease and downplayed the ankle injury that left him limping around Ritz-Carlton Golf Course, often looking worse than his father.
Tiger smiled and said, “Hey Tiger, he got his cart.”
There is no end to the good-natured jabbing between Woods and Thomas. Tiger said that the ribbing began on Saturday, before the Woods and Thomas crew arrived at the course. Justin Thomas and Mike Woods, or Team Ice Bath as they are affectionately known, lead Justin Thomas by two strokes going into the final round.
In the two-person scramble format, the Thomas’ pace the field at 15 minutes under. Team Woods is second behind Vijay Singh, his son Qass.
This event was won by the Thomas’ in 2020. They didn’t want their friends to forget it.
Woods said, “They rubbed that in our faces over Christmas dinner.” “They are in a great place to do it again at Christmas dinner, but they are going to have something to say about it.”
Charlie broke his ankle working on the range earlier this week at the PNC. As he was warming up for the first round, Charlie tried another shoe on his left foot, but he eventually switched back. Charlie fell to the ground after he hit several tee shots in the first round. After hitting his tee shot, Charlie fell to the ground on the par-5 fifth. Many wondered how long they would continue to play.
The team continued to play, but Team Woods did not stop. Tiger chipped in on the fifth for eagle to give the pair a boost. In the middle of the round, they played an eight-hole stretch at 9 under.
Tiger chips in for an eagle at the 5th! Crowd goes wild. Making memories. pic.twitter.com/CcfsIdR53c
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) December 17, 2022
Charlie and Tiger are making their third appearance at the PNC. Team Woods finished seventh in their debtu and made 11 consecutive birdies during the final round to shoot 57% and place second behind John Daly’s son.
Tiger said, “We had a great time slaying it today.”
Tiger’s long-time caddie Joe LaCava, and his son Joey are on the bag this week. Justin’s mom is helping to caddy for Mike and Jim “Bones”, Mackay.
Charlie described Saturday’s atmosphere as “a big family” and his sister Sam was there supporting him.
Soon after Tiger and Charlie had stepped off the first Tee, they stopped by a Golf Channel camera in order to send a message of congratulations to Charlie’s mom, Elin, and Tiger’s exwife, Elin. Elin had given birth earlier that week.
Family is a top priority for everyone in the field this Week, and the Woods crew and Thomas crew will be paired again for the final round. Teeing off at 11:05 am. ET.
Tiger said, “You guys now see what we do at home.” We have fun. We can needle each other. We support each other. It’s a reciprocal relationship.
It’s an incredible relationship that just strengthens the bond between fathers and sons. It has been amazing to share this stage with him over the years.
