Singh Duo Wins Parent-Child Title
World golf sensation Fijiborn Vijay Singh and his son, Qass, finally cashed in on their 16th try at the PNC Championship at Olando, Florida on Sunday.
For Tiger Woods, he happily settled for another great week with his son, Charlie, in the one tournament where no one has a bad time.
“It was great being with dad after working so hard to get here – for me school, and him just the injury,” 13-year-old Charlie Woods said.
“Being out there with a great atmosphere and everyone being out there, it was awesome.”
It felt even better for Singh, the three-time major champion who first played the PNC Championship in 2003 when his son, Qass, was 13. Singh all but sealed it with a 6-foot birdie putt for a 59 in the scramble format, becoming the first team in tournament history to post a sub-60 score in both rounds.
They finished at 26-under 118 and won by two shots over defending champions John Daly and his son and 2020 winners Justin Thomas and his father.
“This is what we wanted forever,” Qass said, now 32 and working in insurance.
“Sixteen years,” his father interjected.
“Way too long, but it’s about time,” Qass said.
“So I’m thrilled. I’m so happy. This is already the best week, so this is just making it ... no words can describe. It’s going to be a memory I’m going to have forever.”
Woods and his son fell out of contention with a bogey on the par-4 seventh hole when both drove into the woods. They tied for eighth in the 20-team field.
Thomas and his father, Mike, a longtime Kentucky club professional, looked to be on their way to another title until the birdies dried up on the back nine, and by then Team Singh was on its way to an overdue victory.
About the time Little John Daly rolled in an 18-foot eagle putt from off the green for a 59 to reach 24 under, Qass Singh hit the shot of the day with a hybrid on the par-5 14th to about 4 feet for eagle.
For Team Woods, their best shots were on Saturday and put them in the final group and left them hopeful of getting the Willie Park Trophy.
On Sunday, Woods hit his approach on the par-5 fifth to 15 feet, and Charlie extended his right fist in celebration upon holing the eagle putt to get within two shots of the lead. But that was as good as it got, at least for the golf.
In their third year playing this event, it was the first time Woods allowed his son to join him for interviews, and the kid delivered.
“I feel like I already knew what he was capable of, and then yesterday, that’s the best he’s ever played in a while. And that kind of shocked me a little bit,” Charlie said as his father tried to contain his laughter. “I used to be good,” Woods replied. Woods mentioned some text messages he received Saturday night after a 3-iron into the 18th hole that referred to “rolling back the clock.”