What’s better than Tiger Woods highlights?
Tiger Woods AND Charlie Woods highlights.
And despite both members of Team Woods banged up – Charlie was limping because of a left ankle that his dad chalked up to “growing pains” – the father-son duo provided plenty in Saturday’s first round of the scramble-formatted PNC Championship, where the Woodses opened in 13-under 59 and are tied for second, two shots behind Justin Thomas.
“He played great today,” Charlie said of his dad. “He had to carry me all day.”
“Unfortunately, this was not the gameplan that we had originally planned out; his ankle’s not exactly feeling the best,” Tiger added. “So, I’ve had to hit a couple more drives than I normally would – yeah, you (directed at Charlie) – no, but obviously, it was a great day. We got a little bit of a heater there in the early to middle part of the round ... and we’re in a great position for tomorrow.”
Let’s begin on the par-4 second hole, where Charlie finessed a wedge shot close to set up the Woodses’ first birdie of the day.
“My ankle wasn’t feeling too good this early, so I just clubbed up and hit it really soft,” Charlie said.
Fast start for Team Woods.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Charlie Woods with a dart on No. 2 @PNCChampionship 🎯 pic.twitter.com/CtDF1B7Ujz
Two holes later, Tiger drained a long birdie at the par-3 fourth.
Tiger from distance 👀
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Team Woods continues to roll @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/ilKbCrjKPk
On the next tee box, Tiger unloaded on a drive, posting 180 mph of ball speed and carrying the tee ball 306 yards.
180 MPH ball speed. 306 yards carry. @TigerWoods can still move it 👀 pic.twitter.com/AfCZ0l5Tnt
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
And Tiger finished off the hole by chipping in for eagle, a shot that produced a December-scramble version of one of those vintage Tiger fist pumps.
“Simple little chip-in,” Tiger said.
Early fist pump for Team Woods 💪 @TigerWoods chips in for eagle @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/bZIjcRHFOd
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
The eagle sparked a run of six straight birdies, as Tiger poured in a couple 12-footers, at Nos. 6 and 8, and Charlie rolled in a birdie of his own at No. 7.
“We finally read one correctly,” quipped Charlie, who raised his putter just like his dad after that one.
There’s the putter raise from Charlie.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Team Woods is feeling it @PNCChampionship 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TUEsjVG3nh
Team Woods turned in 8-under 28 after Tiger drained another birdie bomb, at the par-4 ninth.
Another birdie, another fist pump.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Tiger Woods is on fire @PNCChampionship 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rAVlKhCKI9
Tiger opened the back nine with a nice 60-yard wedge shot to a foot to set up another birdie.
Somebody’s closer 😅 @JustinThomas34 hits it tight. @TigerWoods hits it closer. pic.twitter.com/aAF3B5ckv9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
The birdie run ended at the par-3 12th, but Tiger still managed to produce an incredible par save from behind the green after Charlie’s tee ball found the water.
A touch of class.@TigerWoods played this perfectly @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/n3qPGAA7Ia
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
And on the next hole, the par-4 13th, Tiger produced a clutch pitch from the pine straw to steal a birdie.
“We had a little argument there because he wanted to play his shot. ... I kind of overruled and I hit a saucy little 60 in there,” Tiger said.
Tiger with the recovery. Charlie with the putt.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Team Woods continues to make birdies @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/EdAssM1IZX
We got a fist pump. We got a putter raise. And on the par-5 14th, we got a club twirl, as Tiger muscled a 220-yard 4-iron to 15 feet.
“It was all I had there,” Tiger said.
Team Woods would make an easy two-putt birdie after that.
The year is 2022.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Tiger Woods is still making birdies and club twirling. pic.twitter.com/j2VOz3gZEx
Things slowed down after that with three straight pars before Charlie capped the round off with a birdie make at the par-5 18th – and an early ball-mark pickup.
Charlie picked up the coin before it went in 😂
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2022
Strong finish for Team Woods on 18 @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/EY9E4eKreB
