By The Associated Press’s Doug Ferguson
ORLANDO, FL. Tiger Woods never enjoyed losing in a playoff game so much. Winning the PNC Championship with his son never gets old to 67-year-old Bernhard Langer.
They all put up an amazing performance. Everyone is satisfied after Sunday’s events, which included 15-year-old Charlie Woods making his maiden hole-in-one and Langer sinking the crucial shot—an 18-foot eagle putt on the opening playoff hole for his record sixth win.
Being able to share that moment with Charlie, his first hole-in-one, [daughter] Sam on the bag, and only our family and friends was the delight of a lifetime. That is the purpose of this event. According to Woods, it’s about family and togetherness.
Even though we didn’t win, he said, it was still important that we competed. Out there, nobody actually made a mistake. You want to have something that we had to earn. Well done, Langers. They performed brilliantly.
Langer became the only golfer to win the PNC Championship back-to-back with two kids as partners as he and his 24-year-old son Jason triumphed for the second consecutive year. Together with Stefan, who caddied Sunday for his younger brother, he won twice in 2005 and 2006.
The opponent was what set this one apart.
Playing for the first time since undergoing his sixth lower back surgery in September, Woods was in excellent form and making crucial shots in a battle at such a high level that both teams achieved 15-under 57 in the scramble style and only made four pars.
On the 14th hole, which is par-5, Woods blasted a driver off the deck. On that hole, Langer hit a driver out of a bunker and came very close to finding the green, landing in a bunker on the greenside.
Langer, who became pro three years before Woods was born, had one of the best shots I’ve ever seen, according to Woods.
Jason Langer is a New York-based investment banker who played golf in college at Penn but doesn’t play much. However, he managed the stage well because he had experience playing with Tiger Woods, which is difficult for seasoned pros.
Charlie Woods in the lead and his sidekick On Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, Luke Wise reacts to his hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the PNC Championship golf tournament’s final round. (Photo courtesy of Phelan M. Ebenhack)AP
“I’m really proud of him,” Langer remarked. Playing with Tiger in the spotlight for the first time. It’s not simple. Many people are relocating. Actually, they don’t always care about what we do. However, I’m quite pleased of him for how he behaved himself. He gave us the chance to make birdie and then eagle with a couple of outstanding iron shots into 18.
With the competition so close that neither team had a lead of more than one shot throughout the round, the two-time Masters champion was equally thrilled with Woods and his son for embracing the tournament’s ethos. At 28-under 116, they shattered the tournament scoring record.
When Langer announced the winner, Woods grinned broadly. Charlie’s 7-iron from 175 yards on the par-3 fourth that covered the flag, took a few bounces, and rolled in was the true joy.
After giving his son a friendly shove and telling the high school sophomore that he had to purchase a round of drinks for everyone, Woods gave him the same embrace he gave when he won the Masters in 2019.
“I’m broke,” said Charlie.
Charlie claimed that despite losing, he had the most fun on the golf course because of the hole-in-one, the fantastic final round, the playoffs, and everything else.
He answered, “It’s not even close.”
Langer’s age gave him the advantage on the par 5 in the playoffs. The third set of tees, which were 52 yards ahead of where the two boys were hitting and 82 yards ahead of where Woods had to play, was open to anyone over 65.
Charlie’s second shot barely made it to the front of the green. His 25-foot eagle putt had too much speed and struck the hole’s edge. Woods didn’t make it. Jason Langer nearly missed the putt after hitting his approach to 18 feet, leaving his father, who never gets old, to triumph.
It was Woods’ first playoff appearance since he lost to Zach Johnson at Sherwood in the 2013 World Challenge.
Fans in jackets were crammed along the side of the fairway, while the grandstand behind the 18th green was packed to capacity on a cold afternoon. In addition to being a unique opportunity to watch Woods on the golf course, it was entertaining.
Langer, a two-time Masters champion, had another incredible year. Playing pickleball at the beginning of the year, he tore his Achilles tendon. He healed in four months, and he won for the 18th straight season, continuing his winning streak on the 50-and-older PGA Tour Champions.
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, Tiger Woods, center, responds to his son Charlie Wood’s hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the PNC Championship golf tournament’s final round. (Photo courtesy of Phelan M. Ebenhack)AP
He currently holds six PNC Championship championships, two with Stefan and four with Jason.
Nobody else came within five shots. Paddy’s hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole gave Padraig Harrington and his son Paddy, who were among those tied for third, a moment of their own.
I was too thrilled. As he watched his son make an ace, Harrington remarked, “You couldn’t have talked to me.” I had left. Everything about this event is fantastic. We make an effort to play well, but that was pure happiness.
A family member and the winner of a major on any circuit or The Players Championship are eligible to enter the tournament. There is just over $1 million in the purse. The new Ryder Cup compensation for Americans is $200,000, which is what Team Langer won.
This was refreshing at a time when golf was experiencing significant change and large money.
https://apnews.com/hub/golf AP golf
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