Tiger Woods will go down as an all-time golf legend but at the PNC Championship, it wasn’t the five-time Masters winner who had his name up in lights.
Instead, it was his 12-year-old son Charlie.
The youngster went viral over the weekend for his cheeky gesture after sinking a putt on the practice green and on the final day of the tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Charlie’s freakish ability sent the sporting world into a frenzy.
In the final 12 holes for Team Woods, 11 of them were birdies and one was a par as the dynamic duo shot a 15-under 57 for the round.
Fans were quick to hail young Charlie for how cool he was under pressure, while others were simply in disbelief at the scary potential of Woods’ protégé.
Barstool Sports writer Eric Hubbs wrote: “Straight up nonsense what Charlie Woods is doing to this golf course.”
Premier League star Declan Rice tweeted: “Charlie Woods is ridiculous. So good to watch.”
Golf digest writer Dan Rapaport posted: “Charlie Woods hasn’t smiled in like an hour. Just hit a butter cut 4 iron to 4 feet and holed it from the back tees. Did not acknowledge any of the people yelling his name as he walked to the next tee. Tunnel vision. Apple, meet tree.”
Bleacher Report writer Adam Kramer said: “Charlie Woods is a machine. This is magic to watch.”
NESN sports reporter George Balekji wrote: “It’s not just disgusting how good Charlie Woods is at golf at just 12 years old but also how much swagger this kid has. We ain’t s***.”
Author Christian Schneider posted: “Charlie Woods’ round today is one of the most incredible things I’ve seen. 12 years old and hitting better shots than 20-year PGA pros.”
While the world fawned over Charlie’s golfing ability, it was ultimately not enough as Team Woods came second in the PNC Championship.
The tournament was won by cult hero John Daly and his son John Daly II, with the duo shooting a final round 57 to finish two strokes ahead of Team Woods across the two-round tournament.
A weary Woods, who almost needed to have his shattered right leg amputated after a car crash in Los Angeles in February, said afterwards he was simply grateful to be playing again.
“I’m just happy and thankful that I’m able to do this,” Woods told NBC television.
“I still have my own leg, which was questionable for a while, and it’s functioning. I’m just really tired — I’m not used to this.
“I think this might be only my fourth or fifth round of golf this year. I’m a little worn out. It was nice to have a cart.”
Woods said he and his son had set a pre-tournament target of playing two bogey-free rounds, which they achieved.
“Our whole goal for the two days was don’t make any bogeys – last year we made two – and we didn’t make any,” Woods said.
“We felt we’d have to birdie every hole on the back nine to have a chance. It got interesting and a little tight towards the end, which was fun.”
SOURCE: FOX SPORTS