‘Special moment’ for all in the family
Thomas, father win scramble; Tiger, 11-year-old son enjoy event, finish impressive 7th
ORLANDO, Fla. — Justin Thomas and TigerWoods traded text messages on the eve of the final round at the PNC Championship, their teams tied for the lead and in contention. Neither mentioned winning.
This was aboutWoods getting to play alongside 11-year-old son Charlie, watching him twirl the club after a good drive and yes, even deliver a fist pump in his red shirt on Sunday. For Thomas, it was about competing with his fatherMike, a longtime club professional inKentucky and the only coach he’s ever had.
TeamThomasbirdied theopening seven holesandthe father delivereda5-foot birdie putt on the 18th that gave them a 15-under 57 in the scramble format and a one-shot victory overVijay Singh and son Qass.
TheywontheWillieParkTrophy. It only felt like theother 19 teamswona participation trophy.
“Memories we’ll have for our entire lives,” Woods said after he and Charlie posted another 62 to finish seventh. “He’s not going to appreciate this at 11 years old. I didn’twhenIwas withmy dad. Asthe years go by, you start appreciating itmore.”
Woods and his son dressed in his traditionalSundayredwithblack trousers. Charlie’s mother, Elin Nordegren, walked the final round at The Ritz- Carlton Club at Grande Lakes, her first time at a golf tournament since the 2009 Presidents Cup.
TheWoodses playedthe final six holes in 6-under par, too lateby then todoanything about Thomas and his father. Thomas, a formerworldNo. 1andPGAchampion, has grownclose to theWoods clanandtalkedin the days leadingupto this event abouthow badly Charliewants to beat him.
Mike Thomas said the youngerWoods took $1 off him on the putting green Saturday and said with a laugh, “I’ll show him what I got here.” Mike Thomas specializes in working with juniors and spends time with Charliewhen he’s in Florida.
Thomas, who has multiple PGA Tour titles in each of his last four years, wasn’t about to compare this with with his PGA Championship, World GolfChampionships or any other of his 13 tour victories. Even so, he called the PNC Championship “100 percent the most enjoyable.”
Whenhis father holed thebirdie putt, he said he knew there were 10 teams still on the courseandit still felt asthoughthetournamentwas over.
“A part of you didn’t care who won,” he said. “We were here as father and son to enjoy a special moment.”
That’s what Alastair Johnston, the vice chairman at IMG, had in mind when he created this tournament 25 years ago. It started as theFather-SonChallenge. It since has changed into major champions and Players Championship winners competing with a family member— son, daughter, father-in-law, grandson.
The idea was that golf fans would be curious to see the children of great players. Throwin the 11-year-oldsonof golf’s biggest star, andinterest surgedtonewlevels. CharlieWoods delivered a great show, unfazed by the 250 spectators (mostly sponsor guests) or the nationalTVspotlight.
“I’dlike tofindthe rightway totellCharlie that thousandsof kidswatching athome will be inspired to want to play golf with their dads,” Johnston said. “He wouldn’t appreciate it now. But one day he might.”
The PNC Championship has the strongest waiting list in golf, and it’s always been thatway. Newcomers to the field this year includedWoods and Thomas, Bubba Watson andMark Calcavecchia.
Calcavecchia played with his son Eric. When they finished, the ex-British Open champ who has been trying to get in the event for sevenyearswas askedhowitwent.
“Nothing short ofamazing,” Calcavecchia said. “I’m kind of sad it’s over. I feel like a little kid when the carnival leaves town.” That’s about howit felt forWoods. His son played from tee markers more than 100 yards ahead in some cases, and Woods often waited for Charlie to hit his drive. More times than not, Charliewould look back give him the thumbs-up and Woods didn’t even bother hitting his shot.
“I’m proud of how he handled everything,” Woods said.