Tiger Woods with son Charlie and daughter Sam Alexis at the PNC Championship
15-time Major Championship winner Tiger Woods will return to competitive golf at the PNC Championship, teaming up with his 15-year-old son, Charlie, for their fifth appearance in the event. The tournament is set to take place from December 21-22 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
Woods’ return marks his first competitive appearance since undergoing back surgery in September to address ongoing pain and spasms. His absence from the Hero World Challenge in early December spotlighted the uncertainty surrounding Woods and his participation in the PNC Championship. Now, just weeks later, he’s confirmed he’ll tee it up alongside his son once again.
Woods and Charlie have formed a strong bond on the course, with their best result coming in 2021 when they finished as runners-up to John Daly and his son. Last year, they finished tied for fifth. “Playing together is something we look forward to, and it’s always more special when you’re surrounded by friends and family,” Woods said in a statement about the upcoming event.
The PNC Championship, a 36-hole event, features 20 teams made up of major champions paired with their family members. Notable names joining Woods and his son include defending champions Bernhard and Jason Langer, LPGA stars Annika Sorenstam and her son Will McGee, and golf legends such as Gary Player, Fred Couples, and Nelly Korda, who will play alongside her father, Petr. For the first time, Couples will team up with his 16-year-old stepson, Hunter Hannemann, while Trevor Immelman will make his PNC Championship debut alongside his 18-year-old son, Jacob.
Woods’ return to competition will be supported by the use of a golf cart, a benefit offered at the event due to its PGA Tour Champions sanctioning. This allows Woods, recovering from his sixth back surgery, to manage his physical condition while still competing. “Hopefully next year will be better, I’ll be physically stronger and better,” Woods said, expressing his hope that the surgery would allow him to build on his recovery.
Other notable father-son duos in the field include John Daly and his son John Daly II, Vijay Singh and his son Qass, and Lee Trevino, continuing his streak as the only player to participate in every edition of the event, paired with his son Daniel.
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, a par-72, 7,106-yard course, has hosted the event every year since 2002. Players will navigate wide fairways, contoured greens, and strategically placed hazards, providing a challenging yet rewarding experience for the field.
With 40 major titles and over 1,000 tournament wins between them, the 2024 PNC Championship will showcase some of the biggest names in golf, all while highlighting the importance of family in the sport.