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Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods exchanged text messages on the eve of the final round of the PNC Championship, their teams tied for the lead and in contention. Neither mentioned winning.
It was about Woods playing alongside his 11-year-old son Charlie, watching him spin the club after a good drive and yes, even throw a punch in his red jersey on Sunday (Monday NZT).
For Thomas, it was about competing with his father Mike, a veteran Kentucky club pro and the only coach he’s ever had.
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Team Thomas birdied the first seven holes and the father threw a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that gave them a 15-under 57 in scramble format and a one-shot victory over Vijay Singh and his son Qass.
They won the Willie Park Trophy. It just felt like the other 19 teams won a participation trophy.
“Memories we will have throughout our lives,” Woods said after he and Charlie scored another 62 to finish seventh.
“He is not going to appreciate this at 11 years old. I didn’t do it when I was with my dad. As the years go by, you start to appreciate it more. “
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
Tiger Woods and his 11-year-old son Charlie fist bump on the 18th hole after finishing seventh in the PNC Championship.
Woods and his son wore their traditional Sunday red with black pants. Charlie’s mother, Elin Nordegren, walked the final round at The Ritz-Carlton Club in Grande Lakes, her first time at a golf tournament since the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park.
The Woodses played the last six holes at 6-under, too late by then to do anything with Thomas and his father.
Thomas, a former world number one and PGA champion, has reached out to the Woods clan and spoke in the days leading up to this event about how badly Charlie wants to beat him.
Mike Thomas said young Woods took $ 1 off him on the green on Saturday afternoon (Sunday NZT) and laughed, “I’ll show you what I have here.
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
Tiger Woods said that he and his son Charlie had created “memories we will have for a lifetime” at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club.
Mike Thomas specializes in working with youth and spends time with Charlie when he is in Florida.
Thomas, who has multiple PGA Tour titles in each of his last four years, was unwilling to compare this to his PGA Championship, the World Golf Championship or any other of his 13 Tour victories. Still, he called the PNC Championship “100 percent the most fun.”
When his father made the birdie putt, he said he knew there were still 10 teams left on the field and that he still felt the tournament was over.
“A part of you didn’t care who won,” he said. “We were here as father and son to enjoy a special moment.”
That’s what Alastair Johnston, IMG Vice President, had in mind when he created this tournament 25 years ago. It started as the Father-Son Challenge. Since then, he has become important champions and winners of the Players Championship competing with one family member: son, daughter, father-in-law, grandson.
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
Tiger and Charlie Woods were the main card of the tournament, which was won by Justin Thomas and his father Mike.
The idea was that golf fans would be curious to see the children of great players. Add in the 11-year-old son of golf’s biggest star, and interest rose to new levels. Charlie Woods put on a great show, unfazed by the 250 viewers (mostly sponsoring guests) or the national television spotlight.
“I’d like to find the right way to tell Charlie that thousands of kids watching at home will be motivated to want to play golf with their parents,” said Johnston.
“He wouldn’t appreciate it now. But one day I might. “
The PNC Championship has the strongest waiting list in golf, and it has always been that way. Newcomers to the field this year included Woods and Thomas, Bubba Watson and Mark Calcavecchia.
Calcavecchia played with his son Eric. When they finished, the former British Open champion who has been trying to enter the tournament for seven years was asked.
“Nothing short of amazing,” Calcavecchia said. “I’m a bit sad that it’s over. I feel like a child when the carnival leaves town ”.
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
Charlie Woods hits his tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida.
That’s what Woods felt.
His son played from the starting markers more than 100 yards ahead in some cases, and Woods often waited for Charlie to hit his drive. Most of the time, Charlie would look back for the okay and Woods didn’t even bother to take his shot.
“I’m proud of how he handled everything,” Woods said.
He said it was “hands down” the most fun he’s had on the golf course this year. Woods played only nine times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and only once did he finish in the top 10. But he was not about to classify the week with other great moments in his remarkable career.
He said the idea was to enjoy the experience together, “and we did.”
