The thrill of the 2024 PNC Championship is upon us, with amateur players like Charlie Woods teaming up with his dad, Tiger Woods. The excitement is palpable—will they take home part of the prize money? The chances look good as Charlie is clearly in form this year. He achieved his first ace at the PNC Championship and his father surely went over the moon with pride. The possibility of competing for some of the $200,000 purse is certainly thrilling, particularly since this tournament brings together top golfing talent.
Though the excitement is evident, it's important to note the rules surrounding amateur players like Charlie Woods—regardless of performance, they won’t be eligible to earn prize money. This rule is firmly established by the PGA Tour to preserve the integrity of professional golf. While it may seem disappointing, these young players get the invaluable opportunity to compete alongside golfing legends, which could, who knows, catapult their careers forward. Maybe one day, the rules will evolve, allowing amateurs to also earn their share of the prize purse.
The distribution of prize money at the 2024 PNC Championship, famed for its competitive spirit, is substantial. The winning team walks away with $200,000, with $80,000 going to the runner-up. The third-place finish earns $57,250, and the fourth-place team takes home $50,000. The financial incentives extend down the leaderboard, with earnings for the fifth through twentieth teams ranging from $49,000 to $40,000. The generosity of the tournament organizers speaks to their commitment to supporting the golfing community.
How did Team Woods fare during the tournament? They made headlines by grabbing the share of the first-round lead at the PNC Championship. This year’s event has seen them showcasing textbook scrambling techniques—what’s referred to as “ham-and-egg” golf—in which Tiger and Charlie effectively supported each other’s plays. Gathering at the Ritz-Carlton Club Orlando, the duo carded an impressive 13-under 59 during Round 1, leaving them tied for the lead with Team Langer and Team Singh.
Charlie reflected on their strategy, saying, “I didn't hit it great, but Dad saved me on a couple of them and I rolled them in.” Tiger, who competed for the first time since undergoing back surgery, acknowledged his son's contributions: “It’s a scramble, so we’re trying to pull off each and every shot for each other…and I think we did great pretty much the entire day.” It was the fifth appearance of the Woods duo at the PNC Championship, and the first time they found themselves leading after Round 1. Previously, their best finish was as runners-up to Team Daly back in 2021.
The father-son bond was evident, with Tiger expressing hope for their victory: “I hope so. We're right there.” Amid fan cheers and schoolmates supporting Charlie, the atmosphere was joyous yet fierce. The competitive spirit extended beyond the Woods team; Justin Leonard, who was competing alongside his own son, even humorously noted the fervor around Team Woods, remarking, "Let me soak this in here a little bit,” as he acknowledged their skillful play.
Charlie’s performance, punctuated by his historic hole-in-one, became the highlight of the day. The ace, achieved with his 7-iron from 175 yards on the par-3 fourth hole, drew tremendous applause from the gallery. It was surreal—Charlie didn’t even realize initially what had happened until he was informed by the crowd. After being embraced by his father, he jubilantly shared, “First one,” hinting at the significance of this moment captured on national television.
Just how special was this hole-in-one? Hitting such an ace is not only rare but also creates unforgettable memories, particularly when done on such a grand platform, alongside his father. Interestingly, another participating golfer, Paddy Harrington, also made a hole-in-one at the eighth hole shortly after Charlie’s moment. They became only the second and third players to record aces at this event, which has garnered special recognition for junior players.
While Tiger Woods has had his own past glory with aces, remarks surfaced about his competitive nature with Charlie. According to Tiger, “Yeah, he beat me for nine holes.” Despite having never lost to his son over 18 holes yet, he teased, “That day is coming; I'm just prolonging it for as long as I can.” Charlie, full of youthful confidence, humorously added, “We’ve got to get there, and then I’ll tell you” when asked what it would mean to win the championship together.
With the Woods family gunning for their first championship win at the PNC Championship, the storyline continues to develop, blending family bonds with competitive spirit. Will they emerge victorious after this remarkable collective effort? Only time will tell, as they work toward making cherished memories on the green, reminiscent of the rich history and tradition associated with the game of golf.
