It felt like the Ryder Cup.
Tiger Woods and his son Charlie traded blows all day with Bernhardt and Jason Langer, with both teams making a combined 26 birdies and two eagles. It was an emotional show of golf, and no moment was more important than Charlie's hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth hole, becoming the first golfer to hit the ace. His 7-iron there shocked the golf world.
But it was the Rangers who had the last laugh. After both teams shot 15-under 57, setting a tournament record with a total of 28-under, Team Woods and Team Langer had to play an extra hole to settle the score. The par-5 18th hole will decide everyone's fate, and either team will likely win no matter who makes the eagle.
Well, the Rangers did just that. Bernhard won the Masters Tournament in 1985 and 1993. Exhausted 15 feet for the winHe won the PNC Championship title for the second consecutive year.
“It was a special day. What a privilege to be able to play with Tiger and Charlie. Charlie is a great player. It was amazing to witness a hole-in-one on the 4th hole. It's such an honor to play with Tiger. “Jason said after the game.
“It was tough all day. We were within a shot either way from the beginning, and [Dad] He played really well. We put a little pressure on him in certain spots, but he made a lot of putts and was very consistent. It was a special day. I won't forget it. ”
The 67-year-old, who tore his Achilles tendon in February, has become accustomed to making big putts these days.
In his most recent start at last month's Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Langer hit a 40-footer for birdie for his first win of the year. His clutch putt gave Langer the 47th victory in his illustrious Champions Tour career and marked Langer's 18th consecutive win on the senior circuit.
Now he's adding another trophy to his mantle. This win at the PNC Championship was his sixth overall at the event and fourth with his son Jason as his partner. Jason attended the University of Pennsylvania as a student and currently works in finance in New York City.
“The great thing here is that obviously you want to win, but it’s so much fun whether you win or not. Even if you finish 10th, you still have a great time because the purpose of the tournament is family and friends.” And at this time of year, it's great venues, great sponsors and everything else,” Bernhardt said.
“My other son Stefan is my caddy, so [Jason]my son-in-law Chase caddied for me, my wife was here, my daughter Jackie was here too. It's truly a family affair and that's what makes it even more special. ”
As for Team Woods, Tiger and Charlie had a great time and expressed similar sentiments.
“This is all a family affair,” Woods said.
“This is about bonding and having a great time, and that's what we did. It's the thrill of a lifetime for us to be able to experience this together.”
The PNC Championship was a thrilling end to what has been a turbulent year for professional golf. Everyone involved had big smiles on their faces, which speaks volumes about what golf really is. It's more about family, friends and relationships than anything else.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
