Tiger Woods is playing a familiar role this weekend on the golf course.
A role that is his favorite.
He’s playing dad.
Woods is playing in the 2024 PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, for the fifth time.
Something that he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s just a blast to be able to come out here and be able to compete with my son and be alongside him,” Woods told the Golf Channel.
“It’s a dream come true. That’s what we do at home every day. Now we get to do in a tournament setting.”
Woods was asked what he’s seen out of his son from the first time they competed in this tournament, to now.
“Well, he’s matured, definitely, but at the end of the day he’s still a kid. I just want him to have fun, be able to enjoy it and for me to provide an environment that he will.
“It’s been great over the years and this to me is no exception. We’re gonna have a great time.
“Normally at home the banter is more against each other not for each other, so to have that communication and be able to team up like this…
“We’ve enjoyed over the years to have the bonding experience. That’s what it’s all about.”
Woods, long known for his relentless competitive drive, and trash-talking, was asked if any of that has rubbed off on to his son.
“At home it’s non-stop banter, we never stop,” Woods said with a smile.
“We never stop needling each other but we know where the line is. Over the years it has been blurred and moved a little bit from time to time, but it’s all love right?
“That’s what it’s all about. I love him to death and I’ll do anything for him, but at the same time we’re competitors and so I’d like to draw that out of him every now and again and over the years he’s definitely brought that out of me.”
The last time the father-duo competed at the PNC Championship was last year, where they finished at 19 under in a tie for fifth place.
The 15-time major winner expressed to his son just how difficult the game of golf can be.
“We normally fail 90 per cent of the time and then we come back, retool it again and go back out,” Woods explained.
“The grind is you don’t have teammates, you don’t have people out there picking you up. You have to pick yourself up and you have to have that type of talk.”
The elder Woods has not played since The Open, having undergone a sixth back surgery in September.
He hinted at where his game is currently at and how he feels, noting that he still has a long way to go to be able to compete at a high level again.
“Rusty, very rusty…I’m not at a competitive level.
“This is a scramble, so you know I don’t have to play each and every shot. I’m not competitively sharp but it’s more of a bonding experience to be able to have friends and family and be able to compete and have fun with Charlie.
“That’s what this week’s all about.”
We’ll see what’s in store for the Woods duo, as they are set to tee off this weekend, in hopes of capturing their first PNC Championship together.
