ORLANDO, Fla. – The 2024 PNC Championship turned out to be nothing short of exhilarating as Tiger Woods and his son Charlie battled Bernhard Langer and his son Jason for the title. Both teams finished with impressive scores, but it was the Langers who took home the trophy after narrowly defeating the Woods duo in a playoff.
This thrilling conclusion has been described by Tiger as the "thrill of a lifetime," with Charlie declaring it "the most fun he’s ever had on the course." The two families went toe-to-toe at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, finishing the event tied at 28-under par, marking the first playoff for Woods since 2012. "To have this experience together, I know we didn't win, but it was the fact we competed. No one made a mistake out there. We had to earn it, and that's what you want to have," said Tiger after the match.
Charlie Woods stole the show with his electric performances, including his very first ace on the fourth hole during the second round. "It was just a perfect 7-iron, little cut in there," he recalled, as the crowd erupted with cheers for the talented 15-year-old. Tiger noted how his son continues to improve and mentioned, "I think it's incredible what he's been able to accomplish so far, and the ceiling he has is unlimited."
The atmosphere at the PNC Championship is truly unique; it pairs major champions with family members, which only enhances the excitement for both participants and spectators. Team Woods had the crowd behind them as they executed 13 birdies and zero bogeys during their impressive first round, shooting 3-under 59 and co-leading with other strong teams.
On the other side, Team Langer, defending their title, delivered yet another stellar performance. They concluded their final round with 15 under for the round, featuring 13 birdies and an eagle, perfectly showcasing their synergy and experience. The team has quite the history at this event, with Bernhard Langer now holding the record for the most victories at the PNC Championship, achieving his sixth title and surpassing golf legends such as Raymond Floyd.
The playoff ended dramatically as both teams faced the tension of converting putts to win. Charlie Woods had opportunities to seal the deal but could not convert his eagle attempt, leading to Langer needing to make his 18-footer. When the moment arrived, Bernhard executed under pressure, securing their victory.
The prize purse for this year’s event was substantial, totaling $1,085,000, with Team Langer earning $200,000 for their efforts. The remaining earnings were distributed among the other competing teams, and several other teams, including Team Duval, Team Harrington, and Team Singh, finished T3 with notable performances, each taking home over $50,000.
After the match, Bernhard Langer reflected on the experience, sharing, "Obviously you want to win but you have so much fun just whether you win or not. You could finish 10th and have great time just because of what the tournament's all about – family and friends." He emphasized the importance of the tournament's spirit, noting the family aspect as his other son and his family were present to support him.
Reflecting on the future, Tiger reiterated how just participating again after his recent back surgery felt like a victory itself and expressed hope for improvement as they head toward next year. The familial bonding characteristic of the PNC Championship left lasting memories for both teams, and especially for Charlie, who continues to build his legacy alongside his iconic father.
