Tiger Woods and 15-year-old son Charlie ran off 5 straight birdies on the again 9 on Saturday for a 13-under 59 within the scramble format, giving them a share of the lead within the PNC Championship in Woods’ first competitors since again surgical procedure in September.
Woods stated he scheduled that surgical procedure — the sixth on his decrease again within the final 10 years — to make certain he recovered in time to play together with his son for the fifth straight yr.
That is the primary time they’ve shared the lead after the opening spherical, joined by the final two champions — Bernhard Langer and son Jason, and Vijay Singh and son Qass.
Woods hit an array of fine pictures, together with a wedge to inches on the quick par-4 seventh, however in any other case downplayed his recreation by suggesting he nonetheless had numerous rust. This was extra about spending 36 holes on a brisk day on the Ritz-Carlton Membership Orlando together with his son, a sophomore at Benjamin Faculty in North Palm Seaside.
His daughter, Sam, caddied for her father for the second straight yr. Their mom, Elin, was amongst these within the gallery in a event that’s all about household.
“We’re making an attempt to tug off every shot for one another, and to ham-and-egg,” Woods stated. “And I feel we did that nice just about the complete day. We picked one another up, which was nice. And Charlie made just about many of the putts as we speak.”
It helped to play in the identical group with former British Open champion Justin Leonard and his son, Luke, a senior and teammate with Charlie at Benjamin Faculty.
Langer prolonged his astonishing document on the PGA Tour Champions this yr by profitable for an 18th consecutive season. He and his son made eight birdies in a nine-hole stretch in the course of the spherical, and so they had an eagle on the 14th gap.
Singh and his son, who gained this occasion in 2022, shot 28 on the again 9.
“There’s so many groups within the hunt,” Langer stated. “It’s anyone’s recreation that’s inside three or 4 pictures of the leaders, which is many of the discipline.”
Padraig Harrington and his son Paddy, and Tom Lehman and son Sean, have been at 12-under 60. The Lehmans appeared to be main once they have been across the inexperienced on the par-5 18th, however then it took them 4 pictures to get down within the scramble format, taking bogey.
Having Group Woods within the combine is sufficient to get consideration.
“It’s nice for the event and joyful for them,” Langer stated. “Must be enjoyable for the group tomorrow to come back out and watch all people play.”
Woods hasn’t competed because the British Open in July.
For Group Woods, it’s a matter of not trying too far forward. The daddy is aware of that each one too nicely together with his record-tying 82 titles on the PGA Tour. The son bought a lesson in that this summer season.
Charlie Woods certified for his first U.S. Junior Novice, making it to Oakland Hills however not staying very lengthy. He shot rounds of 82-80 and didn’t make it to match play. He additionally fell quick in Monday qualifying for the Cognizant Traditional on the PGA Tour and U.S. Open qualifying.
However he stated the U.S. Junior was his largest studying second.
“It’s about specializing in my enjoying,” Charlie stated. “I used to be so targeted on profitable and the way I performed that it sort of crept into how am I going to win as a substitute of how I’m going to play the shot. And it sort of constructed up and that prompted two very, very unhealthy rounds of golf. However dwell and study.”
His father listened to the reply and nodded.
“Study,” Woods stated.
The PNC Championship is for gamers who gained a serious or The Gamers Championship and a member of the family. Annika Sorenstam is enjoying along with her son, whereas Nelly Korda is enjoying along with her father. Steve Stricker — winner of seven senior majors — is enjoying with daughter Izzy, a freshman at Wisconsin.
Korda dazzled with a fairway steel out of the sand on the par-5 14th to arrange eagle. Group Korda was 4 pictures behind.