Tiger Woods says it will be 'cool' joining forces with 11-year-old son Charlie

Tiger Woods is looking forward to a “cool” experience when he teams up with his 11-year-old son, Charlie, in this weekend’s PNC Championship in Florida.
Charlie and Tiger Woods during a practice round ahead of this weekend's PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida. Picture: PNC Championship/José María Sáiz VasconcelosCharlie and Tiger Woods during a practice round ahead of this weekend's PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida. Picture: PNC Championship/José María Sáiz Vasconcelos
Charlie and Tiger Woods during a practice round ahead of this weekend's PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida. Picture: PNC Championship/José María Sáiz Vasconcelos

The duo’s presence among 20 family pairings in the scramble event at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando has generated a lot more interest in the fun tournament than normal.

Charlie, who is the youngest player in the field, will be playing from front tees as he steps out onto a golf course competitively for the first time alongside his famous dad in front of TV cameras.

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“It is just so exciting to be part of something with my son and have an opportunity like this,” said 15-time major winner Woods.

“I spent so much time with my dad and this is an opportunity for us to come together and enjoy ourselves and share a great moment like this.”

Charlie looked like a chip off the old block as he hit shots alongside his dad on the range, with his smooth swing sending social media into a frenzy.

“It’s so much fun for me to see him enjoying the game – it’s just so cool for me to see him enjoying the sport, feeling the shots and hitting it as solidly as he is doing now,” added Woods.

Tiger and Charlie have been paired in the opening round on Saturday with former US PGA champion Justin Thomas and his dad, PGA professional Mike.

“I would love to see [Charlie] play well, I'd love to see him hold his own, but, at the same time, he's only 11 years old, he doesn't need to be compared to Tiger,'' said Thomas.

"He doesn't need to be compared to anybody. He just needs to enjoy the game.''

Thomas is playing in the event for the first time and added: “Tiger and Charlie mentioned they were going to play and my dad’s exact quote was that ‘I’m not getting any younger’ so we figured, let’s give it a try.

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“I don’t know how I could put into words how cool Saturday is going to be. I don’t think you ever could have told me that scenario would have happened – to be playing in a father and son with my dad and with Tiger and Charlie.

“It’s going to be a really special day for all of us but for me, I’m so close to my dad and we have such a great relationship that obviously we both want to play well as we are both competitive, but this is going to be a great memory for us.”

Stefan Langer, Javier Ballesteros and Thomas Lehman were all 12 when they first played in the event with their dads.

Bernhard Langer, a four-time winner, is defending the title in an event restricted to major winners but with his daughter Jackie on this occasion.

Gary Player. at the grand age of 85, is the oldest player in the field while 81-year-old Lee Trevino is extending his run of playing in the event every year since 1995,

In addition to Woods and Thomas, Mark Calcavecchia and Bubba Watson are also making their debuts this year while Annika Sorenstam, the only woman professional in the field, is teeing up for a second time alongside her father, Tom.

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