The opening round got underway at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fl., with a lot of flair and flavor, mostly due to the return of Tiger and Charlie finishing at the top of the leaderboard. The 2024 PNC Championship was held on December 21–22 and the gallery was excited to witness a 3-way tie with Team Lehman, Team Langer and Team Woods. For Tiger and Charlie it was their fifth appearance in as many years. Although they haven’t admitted it publicly, but I get the feeling the PNC Championship is slowly becoming one of their favorites. For Tiger, who’s won so much in his celebrated career this would be like icing on the cake, to win a tournament with his son.
After coming so close on Sunday dueling for most of the day with Team Langer, the eventual winner, I think that’s a confirmation. Just ask first time player in this event Freddie Couples, who played with his stepson. He said he hope he’ll be invited back every year in the future. I’m sure Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam who pairs with her 13-year-old son Will McGee would concur. Second year player Steve Stricker and daughter Izzie, as well as popular longtime duo of John Daly and his son.
The PNC Championship comes at a time when families are traveling and gathering. What a great motivator for Christmas, being that it’s always played a close proximity to the popular holiday. From the golfer’s perspective, it’s like the perfect Christmas gift. Especially being played every year in sunny Orlando, Fl. Golf, Disney, Family, Friends, it doesn’t get much better than that. The chance to play and compete with your sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, grands, etc., is hard to pass up.
Eventual winner Bernard Langer who’s won 6 times now with multiple offsprings speaks truth to that theory. Tiger who has 82 career wins, along with 15 majors would love to add this event to his illustrious resume. Charlie is 15 and Tiger soon to be 49, got time on their sides. I for one, like their chances.
Congratulations to Team Langer and Team Woods for making this one of the more entertaining and competitive PNC Championships in recent years. What a finish.
