The championship belts went to John Daly and son John Daly II but the PNC Championship on a sunny Sunday at Orlando’s Ritz Carlton Golf Club was all about the man and the boy in red and black — Tiger and Charlie Woods.
On Saturday, Tiger and Charlie shot a third-straight round of 62 — 10 under — but on day two, when it counted most, they put on one heckuva great show.
They started three shots back of overnight leaders team Cink — Stewart and Reagan — and two back of Team Daly. A birdie-birdie-eagle start was the fast takeoff Tiger was looking for. Indeed, Woods flashed one of those old Tiger shots when he stuffed his second into the par five third within seven feet — easy eagle. But three straight pars after that looked like Tiger and Charlie might fall out of the chase.
That didn’t happen. On the fourth hole, they started a birdie run that would set a tournament record.
At the turn, the Dalys put themselves in the lead at 20-under following by Team Cink and Team Thomas at 19-under with Tiger and Charlie three back (17-under) and seemingly in trouble.
But the Woods run continued. They birdied every hole on the back and stood on the 18th tee at 25-under. Charlie got them there with an incredibly brilliant shot at the difficult par three 17th where the pin was tucked well left, with water lurking a few yards away. Everyone played from the same tee — 169 yards, including Charlie. Charlie then hit the best shot of ANYONE in the field, he squeezed a cut shot that started at the left fringe (flirting with the hazard) and it came to rest just five feet from the cup.
The Dalys birdied the 16th to go 26-under and with a par at 17, Team Woods needed eagle at 18. They wound up on the upslope of the green, pin-high right. Charlie’s chip was too aggressive, 12 feet past and Tiger tried to hole his and it ran well past. They missed the birdie effort but it didn’t matter. Team Daly finished with an easy birdie and a tournament record 27-under par.
Tiger and Charlie finished two back, solo second at 25-under, five shots better than last year. “Our goal was no bogeys on the card,” Tiger later said and it was indeed clean.
Charlie was a huge part of the show. He showed a golf swing that was pure and hit shot-after-shot-after-shot all weekend. His potential looks unlimited. “Everyone’s going to want to invite Charlie to their club’s member-guest” quipped NBC analyst Peter Jacobsen.
Charlie’s shot brought smile-after-smile from dad. The kid is good, really good and was just as cool in his demeanor.
Both Team Woods and Team Daly shot 15-under par 57s on Sunday, another tournament record and the 27-under winning score was a new record for the event.
Daly II, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, showed he has enough talent to be competitive at the Division I level going forward but he also has PGA Tour aspirations.
“It’s just one of the highlights of my life,” father Daly said. “To be able to play in a PGA Tour event with your son and win, it’s pretty dag-gone special.”
As for Tiger and Charlie, they didn’t win but they did beat their neighborhood rival — J.T. and father Mike, who finished at 24-under and tied for third with Team Cink.
“Yeah, but they (Mike and J.T.) still have the belts (from 2020),” Tiger reminded everyone.
One Comment
baxter cepeda
In the end it was those 3 straight pars
Especially on that par 5 5th (I think it was) that cost team woods the win.
The Woods team were smart to go for it on 18 with those aggressive chips even if it cost them a shot in the end. At least they beat JT, who had the line of the week when he said Tje Woods team has an advantage because Charlie tees off from the start of the green. More on the meaning of all this for Tiger in the other article.
Yes Charlie can play. So can Kuchars kid, Stensons as well, list goes on really, it’s a beautiful thing.
But how good is Arkansas squad if jD 2 is still on the bench. Of course after this performance, the freshman should be hard to sit. His putter is money, as in it’s going to make him a ton of it. Im wondering if II surpasses dads 2 majors.
The competition part of this was the best ever. IMO they need to extend this field—not because they have to— but because so many major champions want to. I want to see JYKo, Annika, Lorena, Nancy; just to name a few women.
It’s interesting the Beamer only got in when someone withdrew. He should have been in already.
They should also include Fed Ex Cup Champs to this event. IMO.
It’s just such a feel good event to watch but as Big John said it’s a huge highlight for these players, which is saying a lot considering how many highlights they have all experienced.