Tracking Tiger: Nelly Korda Waits, Gets That Pic With Tiger Woods

It was Saturday afternoon at the PNC Championship and the world’s No. 1 in women’s golf — Nelly Korda — had just finished her first 18 holes with father Petr.

The Korda duo posted nine-under par (63) with Nelly doing all the heavy lifting — dad doesn’t have much game and admitted he was as nervous as all-get-out.

But Nelly didn’t head to the range to practice, she had something else in mind — she would hang around the 18th green and wait for Tiger Woods.  She had never met him and wasn’t going to let the opportunity to see Woods up close and personal get away.

Tiger finished with son Charlie and as he was putting things back in the bag, a nervous Nelly approached Tiger:

Hi, Tiger,” Korda said looking more nervous than anyone.  “I was wondering if I could take a photo with you?”

Tiger looked up and didn’t hesitate — “Nelly. Yes. You got it. Done deal,” replied Woods.

“I didn’t want to bother you right now, but I really wanted a photo,” Korda said.

They spoke, Nelly introduced her father and there were a couple more quick pictures.

Nelly walked away, giggling like a schoolgirl who just met her favorite rock star.  “Ah……so cool — a lifetime dream,” Nelly said after getting her moment with Tiger.

As for Tiger, he was full of Korda compliments:

“I’ve gotten a chance to see a lot of her (Nelly) this year play,” Woods said. “She’s risen so quickly and it’s very much like what Serena and Venus (Williams) – then once Serena got rolling, and then you can see the same thing with Nelly. She just has that fire, that inner drive.”

For the record, Nelly, playing in the event for the first time, followed up the opening 63 with a Sunday 64 and at 17-under par, Team Korda finished 12th in the 20-team field.

PNC Championship Notes:

Tiger Woods used the new Bridgestone proto-type golf ball but his driver attracted a lot of attention.  He was using the TaylorMade Stealth-plus and Stealth-plus three-wood.  The driver has a carbon face.

Karl Stenson was the youngest player in the field at age 11.  He and father Henrik tied for eighth with rounds of 62-63.  Young Karl was the hit of the pro-am dinner, displaying a wicked dry sense of humor that makes him a carbon-copy of the old man.

Lee Trevino had a blast on the practice tee with Tiger and Charlie Woods on Friday.  There’s no talker like Trevino and he was unleashing a lot of wedge-play knowledge on Tiger and Charlie.  Trevino also put this out for digestion:  “If I wasn’t playing, I’d be out there following Charlie Woods!”

Charlie Woods hasn’t grown a lot since last year but he’s filled out a bit and his golf swing had all the talking heads raving.  Indeed, Charlie hit tee shot after tee shot in the fairways and hit some incredible iron shots over the two days, including the best of anyone in the field at the par three 17th on Sunday.  It was very tough pin location as it was the hole-in-one prize hole, a new Cadillac for an ace and everyone had to hit from the same tee — 169 yards.  Charlie hit a magnificent shot that stopped just five feet from the cup.

John Daly II carried his team on Saturday when he father didn’t play that well.  In this format, the better player typically goes second on all shots, including putts and that’s where JDII was in the lineup.  Every time his father missed an important putt, John II was there in the clutch.  He didn’t make the starting lineup this past fall at Arkansas but look for him to make the starting five this coming spring.

Gary Player was the oldest man in the field at age 86 and played with grandson Jordan.  They finished tied for 10th at 18-under par (62-64) and managed to beat nine of the other teams.

Tiger Woods on his son Charlie:  “He’s an unbelievable player and an unbelievable partner.  Our goal was never make a bogey (there were two on the cards last year).  I’m happy and thankful I’m able to do this.  I’m really tired.”