Charlie Woods recently beat Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods and son Charlie Woods warm up on the short game range during the 2024 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.

ORLANDO – As Charlie and Tiger Woods hit balls on the course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Friday, Charlie turned to his famous father, the 15-time major winner, and said in a concerned voice: “Dad, you did it.” .” the other day so good.”

To which Tiger replied, “That was yesterday.”

Tiger hit his first public balls since the British Open in July and will play his first round – albeit a tussle – since his sixth back surgery on September 13. On Friday, he competed in the PNC Championship Pro-Am. He walked the entire round, forgoing a golf cart, and there was little sign of a limp. Golf Channel’s John Wood followed Tiger for most of the round and described it as the best look he had ever seen on a Tiger.

“You look good,” a writer said to him.

“I’m trying, right,” Tiger replied with a big smile.

But his latest comeback is still a work in progress. When asked about his back, he said, “I’m doing a lot better, but I still have a long way to go,” adding, “Recovery has become the hardest part.”

Just a few weeks ago, Woods decided not to take part in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He didn’t show up for practice at the end of the range, nor did he take part in a hit-and-giggle contest involving hitting 80-yard wedge shots at a target in a lake. To some it was a bad sign that he wouldn’t take on Charlie, and to others it just indicated he was saving himself for this week. Asked how close he came to not playing this week, Tiger said: “There were moments.”

As a testament to how much he appreciates the chance to play with Charlie for the fifth time this weekend in the 36-hole two-man best ball team event, Tiger noted that the timing of his surgery took into account the PNC date has been set.

“That was one of the reasons I had the surgery earlier so I could hopefully give myself the best chance to be with Charlie and be able to play,” he said. “I’m not competitive at the moment, but I just want to be able to have the experience again. This has always been one of the bigger highlights of the year for us as a family, and now we can experience this moment together again.”

Charlie, a 15-year-old high school student, is 3 to 4 inches taller and stronger and faster. When asked what part of his game has made the most progress over the last year, Tiger replied, “His maturity.”

Early in his development as a golfer, Charlie counted on Mike Thomas, Justin Thomas’ father and a PGA professional by trade, as his teacher, but Charlie has realized that his dear old dad knows a thing or two about the golf swing and is handsome good eyes. “I’m here to help,” Tiger said, “but I want him to discover things for himself.”

Charlie’s game has progressed to the point where he recently beat Tiger for nine holes. Luke Leonard, son of Justin Leonard, witnessed the victory. Tiger confirmed he had lost but added: “He hasn’t beaten me through 18 holes yet. That day is coming. I’ll just extend it as long as possible.”

This was the first year Charlie played in Pro-Am without his father. After the round he reported on his game. “A few bumpy rides but overall solid,” he said. His eyes lit up as he recounted how he murdered a ride, just the way he wanted. “I shot it 320 degrees into the wind,” he boasted.

Charlie has competed in AJGA events and qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship this summer, but was unable to compete in match play. He loves the game, is said to have the golfing IQ of a tour pro, but comparisons to Tiger are inevitable but unfair.

“I always remind him, just be yourself. Charlie is Charlie. Yes, he is my son. He will have my last name and this will be part of his core. But I just want him to just be himself and be his own person,” Tiger said. “I always encourage him to make his own name, make his own path and take his own journey.”

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