Singh and his son finally win PNC because Woods can’t make up ground
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Vijay Singh and his son finally cashed in on their 16th try at the PNC Championship. Tiger Woods settled happily for another fantastic week with his son at the tournament where everyone has fun.
“It was great being with Dad after working so hard to get here — for me school, and him just the injury,” 13-year-old Charlie Woods said. “Being out there with a great atmosphere and everyone being out there, it was awesome.”
Singh, the three time major champion who played the PNC Championship when his son Qass was 13, felt it even better. Singh sealed the deal with a 6-foot birdie-putt for a 59 in scramble format. This was the first time in tournament history that a team has posted a sub-60 score in either round.
They finished at 26-under-118 and beat Justin Thomas, the 2020 winner and John Daly, by two shots.
“This is what we wanted forever,” Qass said, now 32 and working in insurance.
“Sixteen years,” his father interjected.
“Way too long, but it’s about time,” Qass said. “So I’m thrilled. I am so happy. This has already been the best week of my life, so I’m just making it even better. It’s going to be a memory I’m going to have forever.”
Woods and his son were both out of contention after Woods made a bogey at the par-4 seventh hole, when they both drove into the woods. They tied for eighth in a 20-team field.
Thomas and Mike, a long-time Kentucky club professional, seemed to be on their way again to another title, until the birdies stopped on the back nine and Team Singh was on its own way to a much-deserved victory.
Little John Daly made an 18-foot putt off the green for a score of 59 to reach 24 Under. Qass Sing hit the shot with a hybrid at the par-514th for 4 feet for eagle.
Team Woods’s best shots were Saturday, which placed them in the final group. They are hopeful of winning the Willie Park Trophy.
Woods made his approach from the par-5 fifth to 15, and Charlie raised his right hand in celebration after hitting the eagle shot to make it within two shots. That was it, at least for golf.
Woods’ third year at this event was his first opportunity to allow his son to interview him. The kid did a great job.
“I feel like I already knew what he was capable of, and then yesterday, that’s the best he’s ever played in a while. And that kind of shocked me a little bit,” Charlie said as his father tried to contain his laughter.
“I used to be good,” Woods replied.
Woods mentioned some text messages he received Saturday night after a 3-iron into the 18th hole that referred to “rolling back the clock.”
Woods claims that he still has all of the shots. It’s just a matter if he walks. Woods was still in a cart at the PGA Tour Champions sanctioned event. He had plantar fasciitis in his right leg.
However, he is a pop star and Justin Thomas was aware of it. Woods swept one past Thomas, the 29 year-old PGA champion on the fifth hole. He zoomed up the fairway quickly enough to leave a note next to Thomas’ ball that said, “You’ve got mail.”
Thomas believed he would win the last word if his father and he were to win again. He was impressed by what he saw in certain shots, including the drive.
“I wasn’t joking yesterday when I said it: When he’s feeling well, he’s longer than I am with a driver,” Thomas said. “But I’m sure he would trade 10 yards to be able to walk every day and feeling well. But yeah, it’s very impressive. You can tell, he’s very, very strong, very fit right now. It’s just dealing with 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 in Bahamas. He doesn’t know when he will be able to return in 2023.
The Thomas family has grown to be an extended family. Joe LaCava, Woods’ caddie at this tournament is Charlie’s son.
“We had the most amazing time inside the ropes with each other,” Woods said.
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