Tiger Woods believes his son Charlie’s ceiling to impress in golf is ‘unlimited’ after he fired a hole-in-one in their runner-up finish at the PNC Championship.

The former world No 1 was playing alongside his 15-year-old son in the 36-hole scramble event, where only past winners of a major or The Players are eligible to tee it up alongside a member of their family.

Team Woods held a share of the lead after an opening-round 59 at the Ritz-Carlton Club in Florida, while hopes of victory increased when Charlie fired the first hole-in-one of his career during a thrilling final day.

The pair carded a 15-under 57 to finish tied at the top of the leaderboard on 28 under alongside Team Langer – consisting of two-time Masters winner Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, who claimed victory with a dramatic eagle on the first play-off hole.

Woods has previously described this event as his “fifth major”, making his fifth consecutive appearance in the tournament, with the 48-year-old proud of his son’s progress.

“He [Charlie) has gotten better at every facet of the game,” Woods said. “That’s a commitment to practicing and developing as a player. I think that most of us forget he’s only 15 years old.

“I know he’s been doing this in front of the media for a long time but, being only 15, I think it’s incredible what he’s been able to accomplish so far and the ceiling that he has is unlimited.”

Historic ace for Woods on final day

Charlie’s maiden hole-in-one came with a stunning tee shot at the par-three fourth, where he knocked a seven-iron to around six feet of the hole before watching it roll into the cup.

“That was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie, make his first hole-in-one, Sam [his daughter] on the bag, just our family and friends,” Woods added. “That’s what this event is about. It’s about bonding and family.

“For us to have that experience together, I know we didn’t win, but it was the fact that we competed. No one really made a mistake out there. We had to earn it and that’s what you want to have. Hats off to the Langers – they played amazing.”

On getting his first ace, Woods Jnr said: “It was awesome having Dad there. That was so much fun. It was just a perfect seven-iron, little cut in there. Of course never got to see it go in. So that sucks. But that’s all right.”

What next for Tiger?

Tiger’s appearance was his first at any event since missing the cut at The Open in July and undergoing back surgery in September, to alleviate spasms and pain he experienced throughout the 2024 season, with Woods unable to feature at the Hero World Challenge earlier this month.

“I’m nowhere near competitive shape,” Woods admitted to the PGA Tour website. “I’m a great scramble partner. We made a great team this week, and that’s the whole joy of it.”

He later added: “I did a few things here and there. I can hit a few shots here and there. It’s training, each and every day, doing the little things and keep progressing, and I’ll keep progressing forward into next year.”

Woods has committed to featuring in the inaugural TGL when it begins in January, where he will represent ‘Juniper Links’ in the indoor golf league that blends virtual and real-time golf, although has yet to confirm his full 2025 schedule.

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