Tiger Woods returns to lead a golf tournament. Yes, the phrase has many nuances, but you can’t deny that just being able to write or read it brings a small smile, a certain something inside.
The nuances, as you know, are that it’s the PNC Championship, an exhibition event, on a friendly course (Florida’s Ritz Carlton) and, above all, that he hasn’t done it alone, but with his son playing in a best ball scramble format: they choose the best drive and from there both hit all shots, always choosing the best one. The most forgiving format there is.
Having mentioned the nuances, let’s go back to the beginning, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie (-13) are the leaders of the PNC Championship after the first round held this Saturday. They have signed an excellent card of 59 strokes, with thirteen birdies without a miss. They are tied with Bernhard Langer and his son Jason and with Vijay Singh and his son Qaas. You see what three less competitive types have gathered up there, said obviously with the greatest irony a human being can muster.
Tiger Woods has looked good. Certainly, much better than the pessimistic version he has been spreading since the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He has repeatedly said that he is not competitive, and surely he is right. It is possible that he is not competitive enough to play a four-day tournament on very demanding courses. Yes, we can agree with him on that. However, to play 18 holes, walking mind you, he is more than fine.
He missed some shots, like a drive sent into the jungle and two or three shots to the green. Most were errors to the left. It’s true that in an individual tournament this would have cost him dearly. However, he also hit some very good shots, was notably solid from the tee, with caution and a very controlled swing, but well and even allowed himself to leave some given with the wedges. The short game cannot be appreciated too much in this tournament. And with the putt, he couldn’t shine much either because Charlie always putted first and was a delight. Yes, Tiger is not competitive at the highest level, he looks somewhat inconsistent, although with many more good things than bad, but he has enough to be up to the task in an event of these characteristics.
Charlie has also looked very good, although inconsistent. He continues to grow, more in width (getting stronger) than in height. He hit some very good drives, very long, with a ball that rolls a lot. He didn’t leave any given irons, but he did hit quite a few greens. Somewhat inconsistent. However, with the putt, he has shown to be out of this world. They will go out tomorrow in the star match. Who can ask for more?
The other protagonists of this first round have been Will McGee, the son of Annika Sorenstam. He is the youngest in the tournament and has a great time with his mother. He enjoys himself immensely and today he gave a putting exhibition. Also, watch out for the Langers and the Singhs. Vijay and his son won in 2022 and Langer has taken it five times with two different sons. Tough nuts to crack. Bernhard and Jason won last year. Also noteworthy is that final par round from Gary Player and his grandson, with the Black Knight sinking a good birdie putt on the 18th to avoid losing to the course. And raising his fist, of course.
