Tiger Woods seemed blissful … after defeat? 9 PNC Championship questions

Holes in a single. Plural. Additional time. A successful putt. Household hugs and handshakes. (Awwwww!) That Tiger man in competition. On Sunday on the PNC Championship, the texture was nearly like a vacation mad sprint — the pro-relative scramble serves as a lighthearted end to the pro-golf calendar, however the 2024 model additionally managed to jam in what appeared like a yr’s value of tales on its last day. Ultimately, Bernhard Langer and son Jason received on the Ritz-Carlton Golf Membership in Orlando, Fla., however a lot extra went down too. 

So, like Saturday, we’ve convened GOLF staffers Claire Rogers and Nick Piastowski to evaluation the play. Claire is on the grounds in sunny Orlando. Nick is at his house within the wintery Northeast.   

Nick Piastowski (@nickpia): Good day once more, Claire! OK, the place to start out? Perhaps slightly unusual that we’ll go together with a second from the runners-up, however we’ve got to. What was the Charlie Woods gap in a single like from up shut? The place had been you when it occurred? What did you see? What did it sound like? Give me the main points! 

Claire Rogers (@kclairerogers): I’m so, so bummed to report that I used to be over on the fifth tee field when it occurred. I figured I’d watch a number of different teams within the morning earlier than catching up with Workforce Woods and Workforce Langer, however I heard the roars! And due to social media, the information unfold immediately. Somebody outdoors the ropes screamed, “Charlie made an ace!” and everybody, together with the volunteers, cheered. After that, I shortly met up with the ultimate group, and Charlie was congratulated by individuals within the gallery dozens of occasions earlier than the tip of the spherical.

Nick: OK, full-disclosure time. On the ultimate day of final yr’s PGA Championship, I’d assigned myself to be the quote-unquote Michael Block author and was going to meet up with him for his last few holes — that means I then missed his ace in particular person. So, lengthy story quick, I really feel your ache! Again to Sunday’s ace. From what you heard, did Tiger truthfully not see it in any respect?

Claire: In his post-round interview, he stated he wasn’t certain it went in till the TV individuals stated so. It was positively a ready recreation for them, however as quickly because it was confirmed, the Woodses started celebrating.

Nick: After the primary hug, that shove he gave Charlie was a shove. In some form or kind, I’ve adopted Tiger his entire profession, and the second possibly made him look extra genuinely blissful than another, victories excluded. I’m curious. You’ve adopted Tiger for some time, too. Is that essentially the most — I’m making an attempt to search for the proper phrase — relatable he’s seemed. Like, there’s the emotion we’ve seen from him from successful. However this felt completely different. Am I proper right here? Fill me in, please!

Claire: Agreed! He actually appeared to be taking all of it in. He was psyched for Charlie, and he and each of his youngsters had been clearly having a blast on the course. The nice golf was simply icing on the cake for them this week. The PNC Championship is supposed to be enjoyable, and Tiger and Charlie (regardless of their extraordinarily aggressive natures) actually leaned into that this yr. He was laughing and smiling all day lengthy.

Nick: After the opening in a single, what was the temper like down there? The crowds, whereas not U.S. Open-sized, appeared into it. And did you hear something enjoyable?

Claire: It felt like another Sunday the place Tiger has been in competition. In fact, they purposely don’t promote as many tickets on the PNC Championship as different occasions, however the crowds following Workforce Woods had been nonetheless large. Lots of people went in Christmas-themed costumes at present, and I can’t assist however surprise if it’s as a result of the one autograph Tiger signed on the course was for a person who was dressed up as a sweet cane earlier this week. Individuals had been dressed as elves, as Santa, in ugly Christmas sweaters, and naturally, loads of followers had been in Sunday purple

Nick: After you tweeted in regards to the sweet cane man, I used to be questioning how he’d go about displaying that. Prepared, shoot, purpose, I assume. OK, plenty of Workforce Woods questions right here — however Workforce Woods didn’t win. Perhaps the way in which to place it’s Workforce Langer didn’t miss. What impressed you essentially the most in regards to the ageless surprise and his New York Metropolis-living son? (Aspect word, I would like to search out the place Jason performs right here and get linked with no matter he’s ingesting there.) 

Claire: I had by no means seen Langer tee it up in particular person till at present, and I used to be constantly impressed together with his strategy photographs. Nevertheless, I used to be already conscious of how good Langer is. What actually stunned me was simply how a lot recreation his son, Jason, has. He’s 24 years outdated, performed at UPenn and is now an funding banker. I can’t think about he has an excessive amount of time to observe with a demanding job and residing in NYC. I can’t assist however surprise what his recreation could be like if he dedicated to it full-time!

Nick: Hmm, sounds acquainted, although (hoping administration is studying) I like my job! Talking of, I feel that’s the happiest I’ve seen Tiger after a loss. Sound about proper?

Claire: Completely. The final time I noticed him was after lacking the lower on the U.S. Open, and he was not blissful. Tiger leaned into the enjoyable this week, and his household had a complete assist system there. Classmates and mates make the trek to look at them tee it up this weekend, and you possibly can inform they actually appreciated it. He smiled quite a bit this weekend.

Nick: All proper, after three days of strolling with him, what’s the takeaway? Are you optimistic for 2025? Or nonetheless have some questions that should be answered?

Claire: I’m optimistic! I do know, I do know. Individuals will attempt to low cost this week, however right here’s the truth. He walked 18 holes three days in a row. He seemed snug doing it, and he was taking part in some nice golf regardless of being rusty. And he loved it! I’m already wanting ahead to the Genesis and main season.

Nick: The strolling would be the greatest takeaway, for certain. We’ve seen a limp from him on the PNC earlier than — however not this yr. However I’m nonetheless slightly uncertain why he didn’t play within the Hero, although. Solely he is aware of. OK, two extra, so that you don’t miss your flight again. Finest second of the week, outdoors of the ace?

Claire: On Saturday, Workforce Leonard and Workforce Woods had some classmates out following and so they cheered for all the pieces. For Charlie’s putts, for Luke Leonard’s drives and even for Sam as she carried the bag. It was superior to see their assist system in motion, and it seemed like quite a lot of enjoyable for everybody concerned.

Nick: For me, I’ll go to Jason Langer simply sticking repeated daggers into the 18th inexperienced, with a vote additionally for the opening in a single by Padraig Harrington’s son. The main winner stated he’d by no means felt extra excited in his life, and he sounded very honest. Strangest/quirkiest second? 

Claire: Most likely Tiger signing the sweet cane. I observed the man dressed up as a sweet cane on Friday and didn’t assume a lot of it. Tiger thought it was hilarious. It was enjoyable to get a glimpse into his humorousness, and he was blissful to go signal for the man who was keen to do one thing outdoors of the field.

Nick: Can’t beat that. That’s it! Have an excellent Christmas!