Tiger Woods of the United States and son Charlie Woods high five after a birdie on the ninth hole during the first round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club on December 19, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP
Tiger Woods and his 11-year-old son Charlie were four shots back of the lead after the first round of a two-day exhibition event in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday.
Team Woods opened the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club with a 10-under-par 62 that left them in a share of sixth place in a 20-team field consisting of major champions and winners of The Players alongside a family member.
Matt Kuchar and his 13-year-old son Cameron held a two-shot lead over Vijay Singh and son Qass while Australian Greg Norman and son Greg Jr. were a further shot adrift along with Team Lehman and Team Duval.
Charlie Woods, the youngest competitor in the tournament’s history and perhaps its most anticipated, quickly produced highlights reminiscent of the type his father delivered while collecting 15 major championships.
Despite the scramble format, the younger Woods eagled the par-five third hole on his own as Team Woods opted to play Charlie’s drive, which left them about 175 yards into the hole.
Charlie stuck his approach to about four feet and then sank the putt for the only eagle at that hole all day.
At the par-four ninth, Charlie again looked every part his father with a walk-it-in birdie putt to reach the turn at eight under before the duo cooled down somewhat on the back nine.