Tiger and Charlie Woods return, the celebration of a new era with joy and optimism!
In mid December 2020 then-11 year old Charlie Woods joined his dad at the PNC. From that time:
Justin Thomas and his father, Mike, ultimately won the championship, with team Woods coming in 7th. However it was the sight of Tiger and Charlie playing together that 'stole the show' for many. Tiger's pride in his son's golfing prowess was evident, as he fist-pumped every time Charlie sank a putt. They often seemed to move in perfect sync.
In February 2021 Charlie turned 12 but then, just under two weeks later, his dad was in hospital with serious injuries including a mangled leg. His father would not be able to walk again for some time, and then at first only with crutches.
Yet now, within that same year, Charlie and Tiger have again played in the PNC and despite Tiger's long months in recovery they did spectacularly well.
From the TOUR's Jeff Babineau:
Team Woods nearly pulled off the improbable, too, making 11 consecutive birdies at one point (“a nice heater,” Woods would call it) to thrill a Sunday crowd and claw their way into contention, a place where, for so many years, Tiger Woods received his mail.
Charlie, 12, was a big star again, hitting terrific iron shots to set up birdies at the 16th and 17th holes. At 17, where pros and their amateur partners all hit from the same tees at 169 yards, Charlie stuffed a 5-iron that finished 4 feet left of the hole, then rolled in the putt. No pro all day had hit a shot closer. Team Woods would team to shoot 15-under 57, which matched Sunday’s winning effort by John Daly and John Daly II, and was one shot off the tournament record for low score. Read more
On 9th March 2022 Tiger Woods will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Yet, apart from his many incredible achievements, perhaps his greatest legacy will be his love of the game, with such passion and intensity that it has inspired many to take it up. His empathy and his determination have also inspired fellow players.
The effects that Tiger Woods has had on the lives of other golfers can be seen in the tributes paid to him soon after the crash. Some of these are listed here, and in Steve DiMeglio's article of that time, here.
They include such as, "He's our hero out there!" - Adam Scott; "He is an amazing human being... One of the most impressive human beings I have ever met", - Bryson DeChambeau; "He changed the course of my life", - Tony Finau; "He means everything to me...I want to say thank you to Tiger", - Collin Morikawa; "One of my closest friends", - Justin Thomas (who was nearly in tears) and other players.
Those thoughts were underscored by the wearing of red shirts in a day of solidarity, and the response came from a hospital bed: "It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the tv and saw all the red shirts," Woods said via Twitter. "To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time."
0 comments