Hole-out heartbreak: Tiger, Charlie Woods fall in playoff during PNC Championship

Charlie Woods heard the crowd’s roar but was in disbelief after the 15-year-old’s first ace found the hole, hidden 176 yards away on the back right section of the par-3, No. 4 green.

Once confirmed, the reaction of his famous father made it worth the wait. Tiger Woods gave his son bear hug and a playful shove as the PNC Championship’s showcase pairing briefly surged into the lead.

A man who has accomplished everything in the game called it “an unbelievable moment.”

“We went nuts,” Woods said. “I don’t know what we did, but we enjoyed it.”

The record-setting fun was just beginning.

From there, it was neck-and-neck with defending champions and playing partners Bernhard and Jason Langer on Sunday at Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton Golf Club until the elder Langer’s putt caught the right edge of the hole for a dramatic eagle 3 on the par-5 18th of the first playoff hole.

Jason Langer’s prior attempt appeared true but suddenly straightened out and ran by the hole. After the elder Langer’s effort fell, the 67-year-old with two Masters wins, a record 47 Champions Tour victories, 42 more on the European and now a unprecedented six at the PNC raised his arms in celebration.

“I was the beneficiary,” he said. “I played less break, and mine was able to bounce in there, roll in. A lot of excitement at that point.”

Earlier, the younger Woods’ eagle attempt burned the edge of the hole much to the dismay of a crowd backing the game’s most popular player, back on the golf course just three months after back surgery to tee it up with his son.

“For us to have that experience together, I know we didn’t win, but it was the fact that we competed,” Tiger Woods said. “No one really made a mistake out there. We had to earn it, and that’s what you want to have. Hats off to Langers.

“They played amazing.”

Each team repeatedly rose to the occasion to record matching 15-under 57s during a scintillating fight to the finish.

The two teams remained tied from the 12th hole, trading four straight birdies until matching par 3s on No. 17. Another birdie on the par-5 18th sent the competition to extra holes and set the tournament scoring record at 28-under par as the crowd chanted “Charlie” as players exited the green.

Nothing, though, would match the energy of the crowd or his family following the hole-in-one, even if Charlie Woods didn’t get to fully experience the moment.

“It was just a perfect 7-iron,” he said. “Of course never got to see it go in. So that sucks. But that’s all right.”

For Tiger Woods, it was a career highlight.

“That was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie,” he said. “[Daughter and caddie] Sam on the bag, just our family and friends. That’s what this event is about — bonding and family.”

Winning mattered, too.

“It’s in our DNA,” Langer said. “Tiger plays to win, and his son is playing to win, and so are we. But the cool thing here is you want to win but you have so much fun just whether you win or not.

“You could finish 10th and have a great time.”

Other than a runner-up finish in 2021, Team Woods had never been in serious contention, finishing no better than a tie for fifth (2023).

Wearing matching Sunday red in their fifth PNC appearance, Team Woods matched Team Langer’s back-nine magic, featuring 8 birdies in 9 holes.

Bernhard Langer gained a brief advantage with a short approach to 2 feet on the par-4 16th to set up a kick-in birdie. But Charlie Woods answered with a wide to inside 5 feet.

Team Woods made turn with a 1-shot lead over the Langers after a birdie on the par-4 9th. But a birdie on the par-3 12th by Team Langer began the dramatic nip-and-tuck duel between the Hall of Fame fathers and their sons.

Two legends of the game made an impression on their sons and each other.

“Speechless,” Charlie said of Bernhard Langer. “He didn’t miss a shot out there.”

Having watched Tiger Woods for decades, Langer was less stunned by the shots he executed, including hitting a driver off the deck on to the par-5 14th green from 260 yards into the wind.

“He’s got a lot more game than most of us,” Langer said. “Even when he’s 70 percent, he’s still a force to be reckoned with.”

Team Woods will continue to be one at the PNC Championship. Tiger and Charlie will not come up short for much longer.

“I’m convinced they are going to win this thing in the next few years,” Langer said. “They are just too good.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.