Hole-by-hole updates: Tiger and Charlie Woods fall to Team Langer in PNC Championship playoff
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Younger Woods makes ace at par-3 fourth in final round
It was a Sunday duel for the ages in central Florida, where Team Woods and Team Langer faced off in the final group at the PNC Championship, constantly traded punches and required a playoff to determine a winner.
Bernhard Langer drained an 18-foot eagle putt on the first extra hole, set up by his son Jason Langer's crisp approach on the par-5 finisher at Ritz-Carlton GC, to earn the PNC title over Tiger and Charlie Woods. Team Woods had a 20-foot eagle try from the right fringe on the first playoff hole, but neither Woods could convert.
Team Langer and Team Woods each carded rounds of 59-57 in the two-player scramble format, requiring overtime to determine the PNC's title belts, on a day where Charlie Woods made a hole-in-one at the par-3 fourth hole and proceeded to drain putts from all over the yard.
This marked Team Woods' second runner-up finish at the PNC Championship; a victory continues to elude them, but that day could be coming soon. Team Langer successfully defended its 2023 title; Bernhard Langer is now a six-time PNC winner with various partners.
"It was awesome," Charlie Woods said afterward. "No one made a mistake today, so that was some of the most fun I've ever had. On top of that, I made an ace. I don't think I can top that. It was awesome."
"That's one of the highlights we've ever had," Tiger Woods added. "On the hole previous, he made his first eagle (in a previous PNC), and now he just made his first hole-in-one. It's a magical two-hole stretch. I'm just so happy for him and for the enjoyment we had as a family. To be out there with Bernie and Jason, it was a lot of fun ... It was back and forth, nobody made a mistake today; we had to earn it, and that was the joy of it.
"I'm nowhere near competitive shape. I'm a great scramble partner. We made a great team this week, and that's the whole joy of it, is to be out here with family and bonding and just the enjoyment of each other's company."
Here's a hole-by-hole look at how Sunday's drama unfolded at the PNC Championship, as Team Langer bested Team Woods in a thriller for the ages.
Tiger and Charlie Woods' interview after Round 2 of PNC Championship
Playoff hole 1 (par-5 18th): Tiger plays first and leaks his drive to the right, his ball splashing into a fairway bunker. Charlie plays next with a tight draw that never wavers from the fairway's center, which will allow Team Woods to attack the green in two.
Jason Langer plays a fade that misses to the right of the fairway, but he's bailed out by his dad, who stripes one over the fairway bunker and safely down the right side of the fairway -- maximizing his benefit of playing from a forward tee.
Charlie plays first from 204 yards and stripes it, the ball settling on the front fringe to leave a 25-foot eagle try. The crowd roars. Tiger follows with a light fade that settles on the right fringe, leaving an eagle try from roughly 18 feet. The crowd roars again.
Jason Langer plays first from 180 yards, and it's a beauty, the ball releasing just left of the hole to leave an eagle look similar to the length of Tiger's. Bernhard plays a floating cut that lands a little right of Tiger's on the fringe; Team Langer will use Jason's ball.
Charlie's eagle putt lips out on the right side; he drops to his knees in agony, knowing the putt had been tracking all the way. Tiger plays next and misses to the left; he walks after it immediately. It sets the stage for Team Langer, which will have a mid-length eagle putt to win the PNC Championship.
Jason Langer's putt creeps downhill toward the cup but misses on the right side; his knees buckle in disbelief. Bernhard Langer steps up and meets the moment, draining the 18-footer with perfect pace, right into the center of the cup. He raises his arms in near-wonderment, in vintage Langer fashion, as Team Langer is victorious again at the PNC Championship.
Tiger and Charlie Woods celebrate as they congratulate the Langers. It marks a second PNC runner-up finish for Team Woods.
Tiger and Charlie Woods narrowly miss final eagle putts at PNC Championship
Hole 18 (par 5, 519 yards): Tiger plays first and catches a bunker that is placed in the center of the fairway, heightening the tension for Charlie's tee shot. The younger Woods produces a confident swing under pressure, striking a hard draw that safely finds the left side of the fairway, which will allow Team Woods to attack the green on the second shot.
Charlie plays first from 207 yards and fans it out to the right, quickly letting a hand off the club in dismay. "Bunker's alright," Tiger tells his son. The elder Woods follows with a high fade that carries the bunker and lands on the green's right edge before bounding sharply to the right, leaving a testy 40-foot chip shot from the right fringe.
Charlie plays first, the ball landing just past the fringe and releasing to 3 feet. "Beautiful shot," his dad tells him. Freed up to try and hole it, Tiger takes an aggressive approach and nearly jars it, but the ball releases well past the cup to some 20 feet. No harm, as Charlie has set up a close birdie look.
Team Langer has a 20-foot eagle try from the back fringe to win the PNC. Jason Langer putts first and misses just to the left. Bernhard goes next and misses just to the right, buckling his knees slightly as the putt drifts by.
Charlie converts the birdie for Team Woods, and we are headed to overtime!
Team Woods 15-under thru 18, 28-under total, T1
Tiger and Charlie Woods fight for birdie to force playoff at PNC Championship
Hole 17 (par 3, 174 yards): After Team Langer fails to find the putting surface, Charlie plays a draw with a mid-iron but flushes it over the green, the ball settling in the second cut of rough some 50 feet past the cup. Tiger follows with a 7-iron and flushes it, the ball tracking toward the cup and settling 15 feet past the hole. A very realistic birdie try for Team Woods, with Team Langer facing a 40-footer from a few feet off the green's right side. Laughs are shared between the Woods father-son duo, knowing the crucial stakes at this juncture in the proceedings.
Charlie putts first and burns the right edge, the ball having tracked well for the duration. Tiger tugs his birdie try, the ball tracking left all the way, and Team Woods settles for a two-putt par. Team Langer converts a 4-foot par to remain tied with one hole to play at the PNC Championship.
Electric.
Team Woods 14-under thru 17, 27-under total, T1
Hole 16 (par 4, 393 yards): Tiger's tee shot fades down the right side as he looks on anxiously; it bounds through the fairway and settles in the second cut of rough, just a few yards from the water's edge. Charlie lets one hand off the club in apparent disgust, but the ball catches the right side of the fairway with inches to spare.
Charlie keeps the good fortune rolling with a tight wedge from 105 yards to 5 feet, immediately responding to Bernhard Langer's sublime wedge to inches of the cup. Tiger's wedge drifts to the right, the ball missing the green into thick rough, but he was saved in this case by his son; Team Woods will have a short birdie try to keep pace with Team Langer.
Charlie converts the birdie, and we're all tied up with two holes to play. Team Langer and Team Woods are squared at 27-under, four strokes clear of the field.
Team Woods 14-under thru 16, 27-under total, T1
Charlie Woods' amazing approach leads to birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 15 (par 4, 420 yards): Tiger stripes a driver down the middle, not missing a beat, and Charlie follows suit on one of the tightest driving holes at Ritz-Carlton GC.
From 129 yards, Charlie plays first with a short iron that dances all over the flagstick, settling 4 feet left of the hole. Big-time. Tiger's wedge tracks toward the hole but lands and settles 12 feet past; it will be Charlie's ball for a pivotal birdie bid.
Charlie drains the birdie, matching the one from Team Langer moments before. It's a full-fledged duel in the sun with three holes to play, as the Woods and Langer father-son duos vie for the coveted PNC title belts.
Team Woods 13-under thru 15, 26-under total, T1
Charlie Woods throws a dart to yield birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 14 (par 5, 541 yards): Tiger pulls driver and doesn't hesitate, piercing the center of the fairway like he has for much of this Sunday. Charlie plays next and club-twirls upon the finish, the ball also sailing straight down the middle.
From 260 yards, Charlie takes driver off the deck and peels it a bit to the right, the ball catching a bunker that resides short and right of the green. Tiger follows his son's lead with a DOD as well, producing a beautiful fade that lands on the putting surface, just short of hole-high, and releases to leave a 30-foot eagle try. A supreme shot at a clutch moment, vintage Tiger.
Team Woods two-putts for an easy birdie, but Team Langer keeps pace with an up-and-down birdie from the greenside bunker. Things remain tied with four holes to play. It's set for a scintillating finish to the PNC.
Team Woods 12-under thru 14, 25-under total, T1
Hole 13 (par 4, 325 yards): Charlie pulls driver to push it up near the green at the short par 4; he flares it out to the right and it catches a patch of rough, just short of a greenside bunker. Tiger follows, from a tee slightly back, playing a soft fade that lands in the fairway roughly 60 yards short of the hole.
Team Woods plays from Charlie's ball, 40 yards short of the hole. Charlie plays first with a pitch that scoots to 10 feet, settling short of the cup. "Good play," his dad says. Tiger follows with a pitch that releases roughly 10 feet past the hole, a similar-length birdie try.
After Team Langer converts a 20-foot birdie, Team Woods faces its birdie try to keep pace, electing to putt from the younger Woods' ball. Charlie putts first and trickles it in with sublime poise, maintaining a look of determination throughout. It remains tied into the final five holes of the PNC Championship.
Team Woods 11-under thru 13, 24-under total, T1
Tiger and Charlie Woods get up-and-down for birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 12 (par 3, 163 yards): Tiger plays first with a 6-iron to the back-middle portion of the green, leaving a birdie try from roughly 25 feet. Charlie pulls a 7-iron and loosens his grip upon impact, as the ball sails into thick rough just off the green's right side, perilously close to a water hazard.
Neither player can convert the mid-range birdie try, and Team Woods settles for a ho-hum par. Team Langer has a shorter birdie attempt from roughly 15 feet and buries it, moving into a share of the lead with six holes to play.
We're in for a race to the finish at the PNC Championship.
Team Woods 10-under thru 12, 23-under total, T1
Hole 11 (par 4, 369 yards): Tiger pushes driver down the middle with a quick-tee pick-up, zero hesitation on the delivery. Charlie leaks his drive out to the right and watches with angst, but the ball catches the short grass on the fairway's right side.
Team Woods plays from Tiger's drive, 80 yards away, and Charlie plays first with a wedge on a good line that stops 15 feet short of the hole. Tiger follows with a wedge that flies into the back fringe, 20 feet past the hole; he looks down in dismay after seeing the result. It won't be an easy birdie for Team Woods on this short par 4.
Charlie begs to differ. He putts first and drains it right in the center; Tiger looked on with confidence the entire way. Team Langer keeps pace with a birdie to stay one stroke back; Team Singh (thru 12) has also moved to 22-under, one stroke back of the leading Team Woods.
Team Woods 10-under thru 11, 23-under total, solo first
Charlie Woods uses quality approach to set up birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 10 (par 4, 350 yards): Tiger plays a fairway metal off the tee on the short par 4; it creeps toward the rough line but narrowly stays in the short grass. Playing from a forward tee, Charlie is able to reach a greenside bunker off the tee; Team Woods elects to play from the sand.
Charlie plays first from the bunker; the ball tries to check up but releases 10 feet past the hole. Still a good shot, as his dad opines. Tiger plays next on a similar line and with sublime touch, leaving a shorter birdie try from roughly 5 feet.
Charlie putts first and doesn't hesitate. Right in the heart, as Team Woods matches Team Langer's birdie to maintain a one-stroke edge with eight holes to play.
Team Woods 9-under thru 10, 22-under overall, solo first
Tiger Woods gets up-and-down from bunker to set up birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 9 (par 4, 431 yards): Tiger doesn't hesitate off the tee, striping driver down the middle of the fairway; he appears on a mission to earn the elusive PNC title belt. Playing their second from 146 yards, Charlie flights a short iron on a good line that settles 15 feet short of the hole, a reasonable birdie attempt. His dad leaks his approach a bit right; the ball catches in the fringe, 30 feet right of the hole. They'll use Charlie's approach for the birdie try.
Charlie tugs his birdie try left of the hole, grimacing as it slides past. His dad then takes the reins and drains the birdie, the ball catching the right-center portion of the cup. Charlie pumps his fist as he looks on with delight. Team Woods turns in 8-under 28, moving to 21-under for the week, and takes the lead into the final nine after Team Langer cannot convert a 12-foot birdie try.
Team Woods 8-under thru 9, 21-under overall, solo first
Hole 8 (par 3, 196 yards): Tiger plays first on a good line but it isn't quite enough; the ball settles in the front fringe, some 50 feet short of the hole. Charlie plays next with a 6-iron from 185 yards; he has good distance but tugs it left of the green, the ball settling in the fringe some 40 feet from the hole.
Team Woods selects Tiger's ball, able to putt it from the fringe; Charlie plays first and lags it to roughly 4 feet, right on line. "Nice touch," Tiger opines. Dad plays next and gives it a run; the ball narrowly misses on the left side to leave a tap-in par. It's a solid outcome for Team Woods, which keeps pace with Team Langer as neither Bernhard nor Jason can convert birdie from 25 feet.
Team Woods 7-under thru 8, 20-under overall, T1
Hole 7 (par 4, 348 yards): After a well-placed drive leaves an approach of just 65 yards, Charlie flights a beautiful flip wedge to 2 feet, the ball missing the cup by mere inches. Tiger follows with a savvy wedge to 5 feet, but he can't nip his son in the closest-to-the-pin of sorts.
It's a win-win, though, as Team Woods converts the birdie to reach 7-under through seven holes Sunday and 20-under for the week (Charlie does the honors). Team Langer also makes birdie, from 10 feet, to keep pace at 20-under.
Team Woods 7-under thru 7, 20-under overall, T1
Tiger and Charlie Woods attack the pin to set up birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 6 (par 4, 432 yards): Tiger stripes a driver down the center of the fairway, seemingly finding a nice rhythm as the afternoon proceeds. He's followed by Charlie, who pushes his tee shot slightly right but sees the ball hold in the fairway's right portion, just inside the rough line.
(Meanwhile, Paddy Harrington, son of Padraig, makes an ace at the par-3 eighth to move Team Harrington into a share of the lead at 18-under. There's now a four-way share of the lead, as things are turning bananas out here.)
Paddy Harrington's ridiculous hole-in-one at PNC Championship
Team Woods plays from dad's ball, 114 yards out, and Charlie goes first with a wedge that flies long and right, settling into the fairway cut. Tiger plays next with a beautiful knock-down wedge that tracks toward the hole and lands a few feet short, leaving a 6-foot birdie try.
Charlie goes first and pulls it left; he knew it immediately with a quick walk of despair. Tiger follows with no hesitation, draining the birdie center-cup. Team Woods keeps pace with playing partners Team Langer, who rolled in a birdie of their own to reach 19-under.
Team Woods 6-under thru 6, 19-under overall, T1
Tiger Woods goes flagstick hunting to set up birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 5 (par 5, 545 yards): Tiger plays first and rips driver down the middle, while Charlie pulls a driver that tracks toward a left water hazard but settles in the second cut of rough, albeit inside the hazard line. The duo plays its second shot from Tiger's ball, 218 yards from the hole; Charlie plays first and strikes a beautiful long iron to 10 feet left of the hole. Tiger follows with an iron that lands short of the green, but it's no harm as Charlie has left an enticing eagle try.
Charlie's eagle putt tracks but lips out on the left side. Tiger's does the same, creeping toward the cup but spinning out of the hole's left side. Team Woods settles for a two-putt birdie, regaining a share of the lead (18-under) alongside Team Singh and Team Langer. All three teams, which shared the lead into Sunday, are 5-under through five holes in the final round.
Team Woods 5-under thru 5, 18-under overall, T1
Hole 4 (par 3, 183 yards): Tiger plays a 6-iron that tracks toward the flag but lands past the hole and releases into the back fringe. That frustrating result, though, is quickly wiped away.
Charlie makes a smooth swing on a 7-iron that he stares down all the way. Mid-air, he asks for the ball to cut, and it obliges; it lands roughly 6 feet left of the hole and releases into the center of the cup. Hole-in-one for Team Woods!
(From Charlie's tee, slightly ahead, the hole measures 176 yards.)
Charlie pauses in disbelief for a few moments, a wry smile on his face, before sharing a strong hug with his dad. The smile perhaps burns brighter on the elder Woods’ face, who then gives his son a light push that conveys pure joy.
The ace moves Team Woods back in front at the PNC Championship, into the solo lead at 17-under total, one clear of Team Singh.
Team Woods 4-under thru 4, 17-under overall, solo first
Charlie Woods' unbelievable ace at PNC Championship
Hole 3 (par 5, 533 yards): Tiger plays a light fade, safely into the fairway's right side, and he's followed by Charlie (from roughly 20 yards ahead) who unleashes a hard draw that finds the left side of the fairway. The duo will have zero trouble reaching this green in two.
From 225 yards, Charlie leaks his approach a bit right of the green; he isn't particularly pleased, but it leaves a straightforward eagle chip from across the green. Tiger plays next and also blocks it; the ball carries a greenside bunker and settles in a collection area of fairway right of the green, a few yards closer than Charlie's ball.
Charlie pitches first and the ball doesn't quite roll out, settling 15 feet short of the hole. Tiger follows and perhaps overcompensates, as the ball releases some 15 feet past the hole. Below standard for Team Woods, leaving an uncertain birdie try on one of the course's most gettable holes.
They play from Charlie's ball on the birdie try; Charlie plays first and his putt hangs on the edge. Tiger plays next and lips out on the left edge. It's a frustrating par for Team Woods, which is now trailing after Team Singh cards back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3 and 4.
Team Woods 2-under thru 3, 15-under overall, T2
Hole 2 (par 4, 410 yards): Tiger plays first and hugs the right side at the short par 4, while Charlie splits the fairway and picks up his tee immediately. It's just a 37-yard approach for Team Woods, and Charlie plays first with a high flop that lands a few feet short of the hole and releases onto the back fringe, some 25 feet past. The younger Woods displays a touch of aggravation about the result. His dad plays next with a flop that lands in a similar position but has plenty of spin, checking up to leave an 8-foot birdie try. "Nice shot, Dad," Charlie says.
Charlie putts first and walks in the birdie. Zero hesitation. Team Woods is off and running in pursuit of the PNC champion belts. After Bernhard and Jason Langer each miss birdie from 5 feet, Team Woods has assumed the solo lead.
Team Woods 2-under thru 2, 15-under overall, solo first
Tiger and Charlie Woods combine for birdie at PNC Championship
Hole 1 (par 4, 387 yards): Team Woods strides onto the tee, both Tiger and Charlie sporting Sunday red attire, followed by Team Langer. Tiger stretches out his calves on the tee box while Charlie promptly removes his sweater; they take a team photo before commencing the final round with the honor.
It's a shaky start as Tiger misses into the crowd left of the fairway, followed by Charlie who also misses left with a one-handed follow-through. The duo elects to play from Tiger's ball and identifies a gap in the trees; both play crafty shots that find the green, a testament to the trademark Woods ingenuity. From Tiger's ball, they face a 25-foot birdie putt. Charlie leaves it 6 inches short, right in the jaw, which allows his dad to have a free roll. Tiger drains it. Birdie at the first, matching the subsequent birdie from Team Langer.
"Looked like a 3 all the way," Tiger tells Charlie. Indeed it did.
Team Woods 1-under thru 1, 14-under overall, T1
Tiger Woods' improbable approach leads to birdie at PNC Championship