Tiger Woods played competitive golf for the first time in year in the PNC Championship pro-am alongside his son, Charlie, 9½ months after being involved in a serious auto accident that could have cost him his right leg—or more.
Tiger and 12-year-old Charlie will team up in the PNC Championship on Saturday and Sunday, in which they tied for seventh last year, at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.
“It was an awesome day,” said Woods, who will turn 46 on Dec. 30, last played a competitive round in this event last year and rode in a golf cart this time. “It was just awesome to be back out here playing and being out there with my son, and we just had an absolute blast.
“It’s going to be a while (before he can play on the PGA Tour). I couldn’t walk this golf course even right now, and it’s flat. I don’t have the endurance. My leg is not quite right yet and it’s going to take time. I told you in the Bahamas (at the Hero World Challenge), I’m a long way from playing tournament golf. This is hit, hop in a cart and move about my business just like I would at Medalist (his home club).
“Being able to play tournament golf and being able to recover, practice and train and hit balls after a round and do all of the things that I need to be at a high level, I’m a long way away from that.”
Woods, who walked with a slight limp at times, hit only a few drives—although one went about 320 yards—played off Charlie’s drives on most holes but chipped and putted well. He sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the first hole and Charlie made a 10-footer for birdie on the last.
Team Woods will play in a foursome with defending champions Mike and Justin Thomas in the first round.
For first-round tee times, visit https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
