It almost felt like a Ryder Cup.
Tiger Woods, son Charlie eclipsed by Bernhard Langer in PNC Championship playoff
Bernhard Langer and his son Jason defeated Tiger and Charlie Woods on the first playoff hole in Orlando.
Jack Milko has been playing golf since he was five years old. He has yet to record a hole-in-one, but he did secure an M.A. in Sports Journalism from St. Bonaventure University.
Tiger Woods and his son Charlie traded blows with Bernhard and Jason Langer all day as these two teams combined to make 26 birdies and two eagles. It was an electrifying display of golf, with no moment more significant than a hole-in-one from Charlie, who made his first-ever ace on the par-3 4th hole. His 7-iron there sent shockwaves around the golfing world.
But the Langers got the last laugh. After both teams shot a 15-under 57 and set a tournament record at 28-under overall, Team Woods and Team Langer had to play an extra hole to settle the score. The par-5 18th would seal everyone’s fate, and whichever team made an eagle would likely walk away victorious.
Well, the Langers did just that. Bernhard, who won the 1985 and 1993 Masters Tournaments, drained a 15-footer for the win, thus securing the PNC Championship title for a second consecutive year.
“It was a special day. I mean, what a treat to play with Tiger and Charlie. Charlie is an awesome player. You know, amazing to witness that hole-in-one on the 4th hole. A real honor for me to play with Tiger,” Jason said after.
“It was tight all day. We were within a shot either way from the very beginning, and [Dad] really played well. I put a little bit of pressure on him in certain spots, and he made a bunch of putts and was so consistent. It was a special day. Won’t forget it.”
The 67-year-old, who ruptured his Achilles in February, has grown accustomed to making big putts as of late.
In his most recent competitive start at last month’s Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Langer made a 40-footer for birdie to capture the victory—his first win of the year. His clutch putt gave him the 47th win of his illustrious Champions Tour career and marked the 18th straight season in which Langer won on the senior circuit.
Now, he has another trophy to add to his mantle. This win at the PNC Championship is his sixth overall victory at this event and the fourth with his son Jason as his partner. Jason played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania and now works in finance in New York City.
“The cool thing here is obviously you want to win, but you have so much fun just whether you win or not. You could finish 10th and have a great time just because what the tournament’s all about, family and friends; and this time of the year, and it’s a great venue and great sponsor and everything,” Bernhard said.
“Having my other son, Stefan, caddie for [Jason], and my son-in-law, Chase, caddying for me, and then have my wife here and my daughter, Jackie was here. It’s truly a family affair, and that’s what makes this event even more special.”
As for Team Woods, Tiger and Charlie had plenty of fun and echoed similar sentiments.
“This is all about family,” Woods said.
“This is about bonding, and it’s about having a great time, and we did that. This is a thrill of a lifetime for us to be able to experience this all together.”
In what has been a tumultuous year in professional golf, the PNC Championship marked a thrilling conclusion to the season. Everyone involved smiled from ear to ear, which speaks volumes to what golf is really about: it’s much more about family, friends, and relationships than anything else.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
