At some point in the PNC Championship this past weekend in Orlando, you’d figure the skills of Justin Thomas would pay dividends for him and his father.
The world’s No. 3 and his pop stepped up over the final 18 holes at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club on Sunday and came storming from behind with a dazzling 15-under par effort that won them the fancy Willie Park championship belts.
Justin and Mike got right to work early as tee times began at 8 a.m. to avoid some possible late afternoon storms in Central Florida. They birdied the first seven holes, parred eight then birdied nine to make the turn at 18-under par, trying to run down first day leaders Matt and Cameron Kuchar.
By the time they holed out their final birdie putt at the 18th, Team Thomas added another seven birdies coming home to post 25-under par, just a shot off the tournament record set by Davis and Dru Love. After a 62 on Saturday, they were five shots better on Sunday.
With 10 teams still on the course, no one could catch them. Vijay Singh and son Qass shot a second round of 60 for a 24-under par total, one short of the winners.
Team O’Meara closed with 59 to get a piece of third place at 23-under along with Lee Trevino and son Daniel, who also shot 59.
When his father holed the final birdie putt from five feet, Justin said he knew there were 10 teams still on the course and it still felt as though 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.”
Thomas has a double-digit tour wins and a PGA Championship but called his weekend “100 percent the most enjoyable. A part of you didn’t care who won. We were here as a father and son to enjoy a special moment.”
That’s how Tiger Woods felt as he played in competition for the first time with his 11-year-old son Charlie, who stole the show all weekend. The Woods team shot back-to-back rounds of 10-under par 62 to reach 20-under and finished solo seventh out of the 20 team field.
“I’m proud of how he handled everything,” Woods said of Charlie’s play and deportment on the course.
Tiger called it “without a doubt” the most fun he’s had on the golf course this year.
He said the goal for him and Charlie was to enjoy the experience together, “and we did that.”
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4 Comments
baxter cepeda
Team woods was the focus even for team Thomas. Even though they know the Woods family well, it must have been tough the first day being the side show to Tiger-Charlie mania.
But Once the Thomas’ got out of that long shadow cast from the Woods, the second day was on like Donkey Kong for them.
Kuchars son in going to be another atm machine for that family; no pun necessary Tom.
This is always a great event but made better than ever this week.
How did it take this long to set up tee more/shorter tee boxes for younger and older players?
Tom Edrington
Shorter tee boxes were set once Jack got up there……I know those sort of tee boxes quite well, these days I played 5,800 yards — I can dominate from those!
golf1234
You are right, once the Thomas’s got out of the Tiger and Cub shadow they turned it on. I may be wrong on this, but even though they did not show any interaction, I have to believe the Duval’s being paired with the Wood’s had to be uncomfortable for David.
There are some really good young golfers out there. Kuchar, Daly as well
How about Trevino’s finishing T3, amazing. His son is very good
Tom Edrington
David Trevino made some really nice putts at the end and that is such an important part of our game, isn’t it?