In Orlando, Florida, Thursday at the PNC Championship offered a relaxed atmosphere typical of professional golf events.
However, the arrival of Tiger and Charlie Woods on Friday transformed the scene into a bustling crowd, yet Tiger, despite the frenzy, sported a cheerful demeanor, thoroughly enjoying every moment of competing alongside his son.
The actual competition is set to kick off on Saturday at 8:22 am ET when Team Woods faces Team Thomas (Justin and father Mike). Tee times were adjusted earlier due to potential bad weather throughout the weekend. Despite the impending conditions, Friday’s windy Pro-Am remained eventful.
Notably, Tiger’s arrival at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club was reminiscent of a presidential entrance. The PGA Tour captured Tiger and Charlie in long sleeves, battling the chilly Florida morning.
Tiger, in his iconic black Nike sweater and TW logo’d hat, sparked speculation that this might be his final week sporting Nike gear, especially with Charlie donning a Greyson pullover—a brand associated with Tiger’s close friend, Justin Thomas. The signs suggest a possible shift.
As Tiger moved between the putting green, chipping area, and range, he received warm bear hugs from old friends and golf legends, starting with Mark O’Meara, followed by Annika Sorenstam and Steve Stricker.
The interactions felt like a heartwarming reunion, and each embrace brought a smile to Tiger’s face. Noteworthy moments included Tiger sharing cool experiences with Sorenstam’s son, Will McGee, and John Daly’s son, John Daly II. Playfully ribbing Little John about his father’s absence on the range, Tiger jokingly remarked, “Man, all you got to do is show up on time.
“The highlight of Tiger and Charlie’s warm-up session was their impressive display of mega flop shots from just off the green in the chipping area. Describing the difficulty of these shots on dormant Bermuda grass, especially in Florida, where both father and son play, is a challenge for regular observers. Tiger’s reaction to one of Charlie’s high lobs captured the essence, exclaiming, “we’re ending on that, that was NASTY.” It was top-notch content.
Tiger’s stride exuded energy as he navigated the property throughout the day, choosing to walk despite the option of carts, signaling a positive outlook for his 2024 PGA Tour participation. Tiger and Charlie’s decision to walk, despite impending weather, received endorsement from Tiger’s caddie and business partner, Rob McNamara, who expressed that they would have continued walking all weekend if not for the conditions. Tiger, noting that walking is better for his back than sitting in a cart, emphasized the enjoyment they derive from the experience.
Notably, Charlie showcased his impressive power off the tee, dispelling any concerns about his ability to handle tee box placement. On the 387-yard first hole, he confidently drove down the fairway, leaving less than 100 yards to the green in the scramble format. Charlie’s wedge shot landed inside 20 feet, and he successfully made the putt for a natural birdie. While the absence of ShotTracker makes it challenging to gauge exact distances, it appeared that many of Charlie’s drives exceeded 300 yards. Even Justin Thomas and Tiger commented on Charlie’s length, with Thomas suggesting Charlie might be longer than him now.
Amidst the saturated “like father, like son” market, a shared recoil moment between Tiger and Charlie stood out as particularly noteworthy, showcasing the generational transfer of skills.
Tiger approached Friday with a high level of seriousness, particularly evident on the first tee where he shared “points of reference” with Charlie’s caddie, indicating targets for the weekend. This strategic approach extended to various tee boxes, with Tiger consistently using a yardage laser for his own points of reference. Demonstrating his long-standing penchant for scheming and game planning throughout his career, Tiger’s meticulous preparation was apparent even in the enjoyable and laid-back atmosphere of this week’s event.
After the round, Tiger humorously acknowledged that he no longer possesses the extensive range of shots he once did, referring to what NBA fans term a “deep bag.” The irony was not lost, as he earlier executed a remarkable driver-off-the-deck shot on a downslope, prompting a surprised reaction from Chuck.
While Tiger may acknowledge a shift in some aspects of his game, his prowess in the wedge department remains untouched. Battling the typical Florida winds, he showcased precision by flighting wedges down throughout the round, consistently landing them near the hole with impeccable distance control. His wizardry with wedges seems enduring.
You join those who firmly believe Tiger will secure another victory, and not in some distant future, but in 2024. Observing his walking prowess, impeccable wedge game, the powerful fade with the driver, and considering potential shifts in the PGA Tour landscape, there’s ample confidence that Tiger, being Tiger, can achieve this feat. The enduring question remains: Why doubt the legendary Tiger Woods?
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