Tiger Woods is the main protagonist this week at the PNC Championship, the famous parent-child tournament that wraps up the year 2024 in American golf. The Californian, despite revealing earlier this month that he still needed some time to return to competition, has made an effort to play this event with his son Charlie. It’s an event he didn’t want to miss because of what it means to him and his family.
In the official press conference this Friday, the Tiger acknowledged that “there were moments” when he thought his body wouldn’t allow him to fulfil his desire to play this week. He underwent a prior procedure to give himself the chance because the PNC is “one of the most important moments of the year for us as a family.” And it seems he has finally achieved it. He was seen practising today without even needing to use the buggy, walking the course.
It’s clear that since the car accident he suffered after a Genesis Invitational, things have changed a lot for the former Number One in the world and true dominator of world golf. But in his memory and legacy remains the legend he built through victories. Above all, a very special year for him that he recalled with humour this afternoon: “I think in the year 2000 I was okay.”
Now, Woods is preparing for a special season in 2025, where in addition to playing some events, especially the four majors, he wants to be part of the TGL league that he himself has organised. “It was a blessing in disguise” that the dome of the pavilion hosting this half-golf, half-technology championship collapsed a year ago, said Tiger. He believes they had rushed the launch and didn’t have as complete a technology as they do now: “It’s absolutely incredible and it’s going to be impressive on television. I had seen the framework, but when I saw it all… I had never seen a rotating green.”
Returning to the tournament at hand, Woods has shown optimism about his physical condition: “Today I was able to play the first nine holes and it was great. It was a fun day, I’m looking forward to the weekend.” And about his son’s game, he said: “I hope we can catch up, he felt good hitting the ball, but we were both surprised that the greens were much slower than we expected.”
The Tiger doesn’t forget the first time his son beat him: “It was over nine holes, he hasn’t beaten me over 18 yet, but that day will come. I’m delaying it as much as I can, but we have a lot of fun together. Tomorrow will be another day with a fun atmosphere and we’re going to have a great time.” As for his game plan, Woods is clear: “I hope I don’t have to hit many drivers. If he can do it, I’ll hit the irons and he makes all the putts, it will be great.”
“Charlie, with his maturity, has grown a lot since last year, almost 10 centimetres in height. He’s become stronger, faster, heavier. He’s the typical teenager,” confesses Tiger. “I always tell him to be himself. He’s my son, yes, he’s going to carry my surname and be part of it. But I want him to be his own person, I encourage him to do so, to carve his own path and trajectory,” he confesses.
“I think he’s doing a great job. He’s in an era where everyone is a media outlet with mobile phones. He’s being recorded and observed constantly, it’s part of his generation and a world he has to manage. I try to do the best job possible as a father and I’m always here for whatever he needs,” says Tiger, always proud of his son. Although the spotlight will be on him and his physical condition: “My leg is what it is, it’s still the same. But this year I’ve had a lot of back problems, although I’m better now. But I have a long way to go.”
The Californian was also asked about the great moment Scottie Scheffler is experiencing: “I think it’s just the consistency he’s acquired in the last two years. Yes, he moves a lot in his swing, but if you watch the ball flight, he really doesn’t do it much. He has an incredible feel for hitting it in the right spot, it’s something innate. He’s doing an amazing job with the pressure and expectations. He doesn’t make many mistakes, he knows how to do it, he always adds up.”
Woods also referred to his recovery process: “The preparation for competition is different, it takes weeks, months. But it starts every day. If you do the little things right, it adds up. The most mundane things are important and you know you have to do them. Over a day or a week, you might not see the progress, but over months, it all accumulates. Unfortunately, I’ve been through this process several times. It’s frustrating, it’s tough, but I have an incredible team.”
