Charlie Woods already attracted plenty of attention while playing with his father Tiger Woods at the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando.
However, the 15-year-old’s play provided a highlight on Sunday morning as he made an ace for his first career hole-in-one.
The younger Woods appeared to be in disbelief as the crowd roared and everyone around him celebrated. His body language practically said, “Did that really just happen?” Then it became real for him as he processed the surrounding reaction.
Tiger Woods almost seemed more excited about the hole-in-one, beaming with pride for his son. Though as the broadcast mentioned, Tiger missed Charlie’s spectacular shot.
“It was a perfect 7-iron, so I just kind of hit it,” Charlie said to Golf Channel’s Jim Mackay. “Just 175, a little down off the left, little cut seven.”
“It was awesome,” he added. “I didn’t think it went in. I don’t believe anybody until I go up there and see it.”
The PNC Championship is a team family event. The ace came on the par-3 fourth hole and lifted Team Woods into the lead at 17-under. The team entered Sunday’s final round as part of a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard with Team Singh (Vijah Singh and Qass Singh) and Team Langer (Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer).
This is the fifth time that Woods and his son have played the PNC. Truly making it a family affair, Tiger’s daughter Sam is caddying for her father.
As it turns out, Charlie Woods wasn’t the only son of a longtime pro to make a hole-in-one on Sunday. Paddy Harrington, playing with his father Padraig, also hit his first ace about half an hour after Woods made his.
The aces from Woods and Harrington are the second and third made in PNC Championship history.
Harrington’s hole-in-one came on the par 3 eighth hole, traveling 185 yards with a 6-iron. The shot pushed Team Harrington into a four-way share of the lead at 18-under.