ORLANDO, Fla. — Vijay SinghFinally, his son and he won the PNC Championship with their 16th attempt. For Tiger WoodsHe was happy to settle for another great week playing with his son in the only tournament where no one has a bad day.
Charlie Woods, 13, said, It was great being there with dad after working so long to get here — school for me and him just the injury. It was great to be out there with a great environment and everyone being out, it was amazing.
It was even better for Singh, a three time major champion who played the PNC Championship when his son Qass was 13. Singh almost sealed it with a 6-foot birdie par putt for a score of 59 in the scramble format. It was the first time that a tournament team has scored below 60 in both rounds.
They finished at 26-under, 118 and won by 2 shots over the defending champions John DalyHis son and 2020 winners Justin ThomasHis father.
Qass, now 32 and working as an insurance agent, said that this is what we wanted for forever.
His father said, Sixteen years.
Qass stated, Way too late, but its about the time, So, Im thrilled. Im so happy. This week has been the best yet, so this is just making it even better… words cannot describe. Its going be a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Woods and his son were out of contention when Woods made a double bogey on the par-4 7th hole. They tied for eighth among the 20-team field.
Thomas and Mike, a long-serving Kentucky club professional, appeared to be on their path to another title. But then the birdies on the back nine dried up and Team Singh was on its road to an unexpected victory.
Little John Daly putted in an 18-foot eagle shot from the green for a score of 59 to reach 24 Under. Qass Singh made the shot of the day with a hybrid at the par-5 14th, which was about 4 feet for eagle.
Team Woodss best shots were Saturday. This placed them in the last group and gave them hope of winning the Willie Park Trophy.
Woods hit his approach on Sundays par-5 fifth to fifteen feet. Charlie extended his right fist to celebrate holing the eagle to be within two shots of the lead. That was it, at least for golf.
Woods third year at this event was his first time allowing his son to interview him. The kid delivered.
I felt like I knew what he could do, and then yesterday, that was the best he has ever played in quite some time. Charlie laughed as his father tried to contain his laughter.
Woods replied, “I used to be great.”
Woods mentioned some text messages that he received on Saturday night following a 3-iron into 18th hole. These messages were about rolling back time .
Woods claims that he still has all of the shots, its just about walking. He was still in a cart at the PGA Tour Champions-sanctioned event and still has plantar fasciitis in his right leg.
But hes got plenty of pop, and he let Justin Thomas see it. Woods smashed one past Thomas, a 29-year-old PGA champion on the fifth hole. Woods accelerated up the fairway fast enough to leave a note next Thomas ball saying, Youve got mail.
Thomas was optimistic of the final word if his father and he were to win again. He was impressed with certain shots, the drive being one of them.
Thomas said, I wasnt laughing yesterday when I said it: Hes longer with a driver when he feels well. But Im certain he would trade 10 meters to be able walk every day and feel well. Its impressive. Its obvious that he is very strong and very fit right now. Its just a matter of addressing the other issues.
Woods was not going to be able to attend the tournament because of these other issues. Due to his foot, he had no choice but to withdraw from the Hero World Challenge held in the Bahamas. He doesnt know when he will be able to return in 2023.
The Thomas clan is now an extended family. Joe LaCava, Woods caddie at this tournament, is Charlies son.
Woods said, We had an amazing time in the ropes with one another.