The PNC Championship is back for a 27th edition and, following the first round, it's Tiger and Charlie Woods who share the lead at 13-under-par, with the duo sitting alongside Bernhard and Jason Langer, as well as Vijay and Qass Singh.
Going into the tournament, Team Woods were the main attraction and, having started with three birdies, the 15-time Major winner and his son turned in a six-under 30, the second best front nine of the day.
Following that score, the father-son duo birdied the 10th, before five straight birdies from the 12th to the 16th put them in a share of the lead, with a birdie at the 18th momentarily putting them top.
Sitting at 13-under, the final pair of Team Langer and Team Singh occupy the last two victories in this event and, thanks to some excellent scoring in periods, the defending champion and former champions managed to get to 13-under and into a three-way share of first.
Along with the trio, Team Lehman and Team Harrington sit one shot back at 12-under, whilst a total of 17 pairs sit within five shots of the lead in what is to be a thrilling final day in Florida.
PNC CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD
- -13 - Team Woods, Team Langer, Team Singh
- -12 - Team Lehman, Team Harrington
- -11 - Team O'Meara
- -10 - Team Annika, Team Kuchar
- -9 - Team Cink, Team Stricker, Team Daly, Team Duval, Team Korda
- -8 - Team Trevino, Team Immelman, Team Couples, Team Leonard
- -7 - Team Faldo
- -5 - Team Price
- E - Team Player
TEAM WOODS SCORE
- T1st: -13 (F)
PNC CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK LINKS
- PNC Championship 2024 Field
- PNC Championship 2024 Format
- How To Watch PNC Championship 2024
- PNC Championship 2024 Round Two Tee Times
- PNC Championship 2024 Prize Money Payout
Updates from...
WELCOME TO THE PNC CHAMPIONSHIP
Hello all and welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of the PNC Championship, which is taking place at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando in Florida.
As mentioned, 20 family pairs are present and, with the action getting underway with Team Trevino and Team Price at 9am (EST) local time, we will see the likes of Team Sorenstam heading out at 10.05am, Team Korda at 10.31am and the main attraction of Tiger and Charlie Woods at 10.44am.
SOME BIG NAMES ON SHOW THIS WEEK
HOW DOES THE PNC CHAMPIONSHIP WORK?
As Team Trevino and Team Price get their first tee shots away, let's take a look at how the format and, indeed, the qualifying process works for the PNC Championship.
Made up of 20 pairings, you can only qualify for this tournament if you are a Major winner, or have secured a Players Championship. Along with the qualifying, the format for the tournament is two rounds of scramble, whereby both players tee off and, from there, you pick the best drive. Following on, both players play from that position, with this process continued until the ball is in the hole. Consequently, we can expect some low scoring this weekend.
PARS AT THE FIRST
Lee Trevino is the only player in history to have featured in every single PNC Championship, making his debut back in 1995. He's playing alongside his son, Daniel, with the pair making a par at the opening hole.
For the first round, Team Trevino are playing alongside three-time Major winner Nick Price and his son, Greg, who also make a par at the first, with Team O'Meara and Team Player now ready to get their tournaments underway with their opening tee shots.
WE ARE UNDERWAY
Golf legends Lee Trevino and Nick Price leading the way to open PNC Championship weekend. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OZuBcax6VyDecember 21, 2024
Team Trevino and Team Price have parred the first and now the second, with both pairs safely navigating the par 4. Behind the duo, Team Player have made bogey at the opening hole, whilst Team O'Meara safely par it.
One point to make is that, currently, conditions are rather chilly in Florida, with the temperatures sitting around 11°c/51°f. Looking at the forecast, it's only likely to hit 16°c/60°f today, with it being slightly warmer tomorrow, on Sunday.
FIRST BIRDIES OF THE DAY
It's now Team Faldo and Team Immelman to tee off at the opening hole and it's good news, with Trevor Immelman and his son, Jacob, finding the first birdie of the 2024 PNC Championship!
Shortly after the father-son duo's birdie, both Team Trevino and Team Price find birdies at the par 5 third, with the trio sharing the early lead at one-under. I expect this will be the first of many we see today.
BIRDIES EVERYWHERE
I said it would be the first of many birdies we see and, following Team Immelman, Team Price and Team Trevino's birdies, we have just seen Team Player and Team O'Meara find gains at the second hole.
It's a good start from both, as Team Player gets back to level-par for the day, whilst Team O'Meara get to one-under and into a four-way share of the lead at one-under.
TEAM KUCHAR AND TEAM LEHMAN BEGIN WITH BIRDIES
Matt Kuchar has a great record in this tournament and, for 2024, he is paired alongside his son, Carson. Opening their PNC Championship campaign, the duo have birdied the first, as have their playing partners Team Lehman, who are made up of former Open winner Tom and his son, Sean.
TWO OF THE BEST SWINGS IN THE GAME
Freddie and Nelly 🤩 Two of the purest swings in the game. pic.twitter.com/hIHqvYJW0xDecember 21, 2024
THREE TIED AT TWO-UNDER
As expected, birdies are flying round here in Orlando, with Team Immelman, Team Kuchar and Team Lehman all birdieing their first two holes to get to two-under-par for the tournament.
NOW ON THE TEE
Now on the tee, 10-time Major winner Annika Sorenstam! The Swede became the first female pro to play in this tournament back in 2019 and returns alongside her son, Will McGee, who is an excellent player and one to watch this weekend.
ROLLING BACK THE YEARS
This is some start from Team Trevino, who now move into a share of the lead with Team Immelman and Team Kuchar at three-under-par.
In the 2023 edition of the event, 85-year-old Lee and his son, Daniel, finished second last but, for 2024, they have made a great start here in Florida.
TEAM WOODS IN THE BUILDING
Charlie and Tiger Woods dialing in their putters for PNC Championship Saturday. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/JLIWRvysHxDecember 21, 2024
Tiger and Charlie are on-site, with both heading straight to the putting green to get dialled in. They tee off in just over 10 minutes and it seems that Tiger will have daughter, Sam, on the bag like last year.
TEAM TREVINO MOVE TO FOUR-UNDER
Lee and Daniel Trevino lead the PNC Championship! The father-son duo have just made a third straight birdie at the par 4 seventh to get to four-under-par, one shot clear of a big logjam at three-under.
Back on the first tee, Nelly and Petr Korda have got their rounds underway, with the father-daughter pair one of the favorites coming into the week.
TEAM KORDA BIRDIES THE FIRST
It's a perfect start for Nelly and Petr, who find a birdie at the opening hole. Elsewhere, Team Trevino remain one shot clear of a three-way tie of second, which includes Team Immelman, Team Kuchar and Team Harrington.
Now back on the first tee, your 10.44am tee time - Tiger and Charlie Woods!
TIGER FINDS THE FAIRWAY AT THE FIRST
Welcome back Tiger! The 15-time Major winner is making his first competitive start since The Open back in July and, at the first, he bombs it down the fairway and treats us to a club twirl. It's a good thing he did, especially as Charlie pulled his tee shot left and into the bushes.
BIRDIE AT THE FIRST FOR TEAM WOODS
It's a perfect start for Tiger and Charlie, who find a birdie at the first to move to one-under-par and three back of the lead, which is still held by Team Trevino.
Tiger appears to be walking the course today, which is an excellent sign, especially when he does have the option to use the cart. Importantly, he seems to be moving and swinging well in the early stages.
FAIRWAY AT THE SECOND FOR TEAM WOODS
Teeing off first, Tiger just pushes his tee shot at the second hole, with the ball finishing just to the right of the fairway. In terms of Charlie, he puts his tee shot on the left side of the fairway and that's now two for two.
Away from Team Woods, Team O'Meara has joined Team Trevino at the top of the leaderboard, as Mike and Shaun move to four-under, following a birdie at the par 4 seventh.
BIRDIE CHANCE AT THE SECOND
Charlie is the first player to hit into the second, following a 317-yard drive, with the 15-year-old finding the green, albeit well away from the hole. Stepping up next is Tiger, who fires one down the flag and stops it around 20-feet away for a good birdie chance.
Up ahead, Team Immelman makes a fourth birdie of the day to get to four-under through six and into a share of the lead. There have also been great starts from Team Faldo (-3) and Team Sorenstam (-3)
BIRDIE FOR TEAM WOODS
Charlie holed a great putt at the first and, at the second, he rolls in another excellent mid-range putt for birdie! Perfect start from both, who are two-under through two, and just a couple back off the lead.
FAIRWAY FOUND AT THE THIRD
Tiger leads off the pair again at the par 5 third, with the 15-time Major winner finding the fairway with a power cut. That opens the door for Charlie to open the shoulders but, like the first, he pulls it left and into the bushes.
Up ahead, Team Korda continue their great start with a birdie at the third. They move to two-under and into a share of 11th, whilst we now have a five-way tie for the lead at the top, with Team Harrington and Team Lehman joining proceedings.
TEAM SINGH START WELL
Vijay and Qass Singh won this event in 2022 and have made a great start via a birdie at the first and second. They are two-under-par thanks to some great approach play.
Back to Team Woods, who sit in the fairway on the par 5 third. Charlie is first to hit into the green and, from 215-yards, he blocks his iron approach right, but only just misses the green. In terms of Tiger, he goes the other way and finds the greenside bunker left. Imagine they will go with Charlie's second here.
THE 20 PAIRS
It’s a family affair @PNCChampionship 🏌️♂️🏌️♀️ pic.twitter.com/PGNW5WX1jCDecember 21, 2024
NINE TIED AT THE TOP
The leaderboard is stacked here at the PNC Championship, with nine pairs stuck at four-under-par. I would like to think someone will make a charge, especially as Team Woods have just made a third straight birdie to get to three-under-par through three!
TEAM LEHMAN LEAD
Just as I say that, Sean Lehman, son of Tom, holes a nice birdie putt at the par 4 seventh to get to five-under-par. They lead but only momentarily, as Team O'Meara birdie the par ninth to turn in 31 and in a share of the lead.
SAND TROUBLE FOR TEAM WOODS
The par 3 fourth has been playing tough today and, striking their tee shots, both Tiger and Charlie misjudge the wind and find the greenside bunker. It's unclear how bad their golf balls are sat in the sand, but they will have two options to pick from.
In the chasing pack, Team Daly, who won this tournament back in 2021, have started very well and sit four-under through five. They are in a six-way tie in a share of third.
TEAM SORENSTAM MOVE INTO SHARE OF THE LEAD
Annika and Will McGee make a fifth straight birdie to share the lead at five-under-par. They are in a four-way tie for first alongside Team O'Meara, Team Lehman and Team Stricker.
Behind the leading group is a four-way tie for fifth, whilst a par for Team Woods at the par 3 fourth keeps them in a five-way tie for 10th. Very tight leaderboard here in Flordia.
TEAM O'MEARA MOVE AHEAD
Back-to-back birdies for Team O'Meara makes them the first pair to get to six-under-par and into the solo lead. They are one shot clear of a three-way tie in second.
ALL ACTION HERE AT THE PNC CHAMPIONSHIP
Being a scramble, this leaderboard will continue to change and, at the top of the leaderboard, there's a four-way tie with Team O'Meara, Team Lehman, Team Annika and Team Stricker at six-under.
In regards to Team Woods, they have just birdied the par 5 fifth to get to four-under-par, just two back of the leaders. Along with Team Woods, Team Korda have continued their great start as Nelly rolls in a birdie at the par 4 sixth to get to five-under
7 STRAIGHT BIRDIES FOR TEAM ANNIKA
Scramble format is all about momentum and, for Sorenstam and McGee, they have just made a seventh straight birdie to move into a share of the lead at seven-under-par. They are currently top alongside Team O'Meara.
TEAM WOODS MISS BIRDIE CHANCE
Two strong shots on the sixth gives Team Woods a great chance at birdie but, after Charlie narrowly misses his putt on the left-side, Tiger lips out also. They stay at four-under, three back of Team O'Meara and Team Annika.
Amongst those making a move, defending champions Bernhard and Jason Langer have birdied three of the first five holes to get to three-under, whilst Team Singh are four-under through five.
TEAM O'MEARA GET TO EIGHT-UNDER
The father-son duo pull ahead for a third time today, with Mark and Shaun birdieing the par 4 13th. That's their fourth birdie in five and puts them ahead by one stroke.
Behind, both Justin Leonard and Tiger play beautiful approach shots into the par 4 seventh and will all but wrap up birdies. Team Leonard will move to three-under, whilst Team Woods will get to five-under.
TEAM LEHMAN JOINS THE LEADERS
Well, Team O'Meara led for around a minute before Team Lehman join them again. Playing the par 4 11th, they put it close and hole the birdie putt for a third consecutive gain. They're now eight-under and flying after an early bogey.
WOODS PLAYS A BEAUTY
OH, THAT IS NICE. 🐯Tiger Woods with a beautiful approach.📺 : Peacock pic.twitter.com/TvdXP1S0XgDecember 21, 2024
TEAM LEHMAN AND O'MEARA MOVE TO NINE-UNDER
Team Lehman's impressive run continues, with Tom holing a lovely birdie putt at the par 3 12th. That's four in a row for the father-son pair, who are nine-under-par and in a share of the lead with Team O'Meara, who have just birdied the 13th.
Moving back to Team Woods, who are playing the par 3 eighth. Tiger plays a nice approach into the hole and, following Charlie's attempt, Tiger comes within inches for the birdie. They tap-in and remain at five-under, four back of Team Lehman
TEAM KORDA TURNS IN SIX-UNDER
It's been an excellent start for Nelly and Petr Korda, who make the turn in six-under-par and sit three back. Behind the pair, Tiger finds trouble off the tee left but, with the pressure on Charlie, he pounds a drive straight up the fairway and in A1 position. Big shot from the 15-year-old then.
TEAM HARRINGTON ON A CHARGE
Team Harrington have been quietly making a charge and, at the par 3 12th, they make a sixth straight birdie. They now share the lead at nine-under-par, alongside Team O'Meara and Team Lehman.
Elsewhere, Steve and Izzi Stricker make birdie at the par 4 11th, with Steve holing yet another putt. In their group, Annika and Will just miss their birdie attempt and stay at eight-under, one back off the lead.
TEAM O'MEARA LEAD AGAIN
Once again, Team O'Meara take the outright lead via a birdie, this time at the par 4 15th. That's their 10th of the day and third in a row. They now lead Team Lehman and Team Harrington by one.
TEAM WOODS BIRDIE THE NINTH
After Tiger's drive, Charlie puts his approach to 15-feet and, once again, the 15-year-old holes a lovely mid-range putt for birdie. That's six birdies on the front nine, with the father-son duo turning in 30. They're now four back of the leaders.
FAIRWAY FINDER AT 10 FOR WOODS
That six-under front nine of 30 from Team Woods is the second best of the day and, at the 10th, both Tiger and Charlie bomb drives down the centre of the fairway. They will have a good look into the green coming up.
Ahead, Team Lehman just miss a birdie putt to join Team O'Meara at the top of the leaderboard, whilst Team Annika safely par the 12th to remain at eight-under, two off the lead.
CHARLIE'S BIRDIE PUTT AT NINE
Come for the putt, stay for Tiger and Charlie Woods perfectly in sync.📺 : Peacock | PNC Championship pic.twitter.com/L85CrfL3dODecember 21, 2024
TEAM O'MEARA MOVE TWO AHEAD
Team O'Meara finally have some breathing room at the PNC Championship. Following a classy approach at the par 4 16th, Mark converts for an 11th birdie of the day and to move two shots clear of Team Lehman and Team Harrington. Excellent blemish free round here from Mark and Shaun!
TEAM HARRINGTON GET TO 10-UNDER
That two shot advantage for Team O'Meara doesn't last long, as the father-son pair of Padraig and Paddy Harrington make a seventh straight birdie to get to 10-under-par and one back.
Behind the pair, defending champions Team Langer turn in six-under-par, with the father-son duo of Bernhard and Jason producing six birdies on the front nine.
TEAM WOODS BIRDIE THE 10TH
After a huge drive from Charlie, Tiger plays a delicate pitch shot to around eight-feet, with Charlie then converting the putt for birdie. An excellent all-round hole there, with the pair now seven-under and four back.
Along with Team Woods, Team Daly have birdied the last two holes to get to six-under, whilst Team Lehman produce an eagle three at the par 5 14th to join Team O'Meara at the top of the leaderboard at 11-under.
TEAM TREVINO FIRE A 64
Excellent round from Lee Trevino and his son, Daniel, who card an eight-under-par 64 to get into the clubhouse. What a day for the 85-year-old and his son!
TEAM LEHMAN MOVE AHEAD
An excellent eagle-birdie run has put Tom and Sean Lehman at the top of the leaderboard. The duo sit 12-under through 15 and one ahead of Team O'Meara, who have a mid-range birdie putt at the 18th coming up to pull level again.
TEAM O'MEARA FINISH AT 11-UNDER
The birdie putt just slides by at the 18th for Team O'Meara, with a closing par giving them an 11-under-par round of 61 and, currently, a spot in second spot. Excellent round from the father-son pair, who will be in contention going into Sunday.
WILL McGEE IS HOLING PUTTS FROM EVERYWHERE
After Annika misses her birdie attempt at the par 4 14th, Will steps up and rolls in his putt to move to 10-under. I've lost count how many putts the 13-year-old has holed today, but let's say it's rather a lot!
Behind the pair, defending champions Bernhard and Jason Langer have found another birdie, with the duo now eight-under through 11 and four back of Team Lehman.
BIRDIE FOR TEAM WOODS AT THE 12TH
Once again, it's Charlie who holes the putt as another mid-range effort drops in the centre of the cup. Like Will McGee, I can't count how many feet of putts the 15-year-old has holed but, once again, let's say it's a lot!
WHAT A SHOT FROM CHARLIE WOODS
After putting his tee shot into the greenside bunker at the par 4 13th, Charlie then plays a stunning shot to mere inches. Tiger steps up and plays a decent approach himself, but the shot from Charlie guarantees the birdie and they will move to nine-under-par.
Currently, Team Lehman lead at 13-under-par and are two clear of Team O'Meara, who are in the clubhouse, and Team Harrington, who are currently playing the 16th hole.
SHOT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP FROM NELLY KORDA
Wow! After Charlie's bunker magic Nelly Korda steps up and puts a fairway wood, from over 230-yards and the bunker, to just a few feet! That is astonishing from the World No.1 who, alongside Petr, will likely move to eight-under with an eagle.
TIGER RECOVERS WELL FOR TEAM WOODS
A bit of a setback for the otherwise impressive Team Woods here, as Charlie has found a greenside bunker with his approach on the 14th. Let's see how Tiger gets on with his effort...
That's more like it. He's nicely on the green. The pair remain T5 at nine-under, for now.
BIRDIE CHANCE MISSED FOR TEAM ANNIKA
The youngest player in the field is 13-year-old Will McGee. You wouldn't think so though with his putting prowess this week. However, even though he's been holing them from all over the place, he doesn't quite manage it at the 16th as Team Annika's birdie chance goes begging. They're still fourth though, only three behind Team Lehman at the top.
TEAM WOODS ON THE CHARGE!
A quality effort from Charlie Woods on the 14th green for eagle drifts narrowly right from distance. Can Tiger make it instead? It's close - so very close - but that misses right by an even narrower margin.
They've just made their third birdie in succession though and are on a charge at 10-under, just three off the lead!
TEAM KORDA IN THE MIX
Team Korda are on a roll, too. This time, it's former tennis champion Petr who has turned on the style with a long birdie putt on the 15th as he and daughter Nelly move to nine-under.
TEAM KUCHAR KEEP UP THE PRESSURE
A lovely birdie putt from Carson from the edge of the green has just moved Team Kuchar to 10-under as he and Matt complete a round of 62. Things are getting tight at the top of the leaderboard with three teams now T4 behind two in T2 and Team Lehman with a two-shot lead.
SETBACK FOR THE LEADERS
Both Lehmans have missed relatively straightforward putts for par in a stiff breeze as they finish with a bogey. That brings them back to 12-under, just one ahead of Team Harrington and Team O'Meara. That brings Team Woods, among others, to within just two of the lead.
WATCH NELLY KORDA'S BRILLIANCE FROM A BUNKER
Here's a look at that incredible effort from a bunker from Nelly Korda earlier on. She's World No.1 for a reason...
The shot of the day!Ridiculous stuff from @NellyKorda 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bl4LofjlbjDecember 21, 2024
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS KEEP UP THE FIGHT
The defending champions, Team Langer, can't be discounted either. An eagle at the 14th has just brought them to one off the lead. There are now eight teams within two shots of the lead!
TEAM HARRINGTON JOIN TEAM LEHMAN AS JOINT LEADERS!
We have joint leaders after Team Harrington completed a brilliant round of 60 with a birdie to move them level with Team Lehman, who just beforehand completed their best-ever PNC Championship round with a bogey. The two teams are on 12-under...
Around the same time, the Woods completed their fourth birdie in a row to move to within one of the lead at 11-under.
TEAM WOODS CONTINUE TO FLY!
A brilliantly judged approach from Charlie Woods on the 16th lands within a foot of the flag before the backspin took it away somewhat. Tiger's attempt is almost as good and the upshot of it is that they now have a near-certain birdie, which would move them into a three-way lead at the top!
TEAM WOODS AMONG FOUR AT THE TOP!
Make that a four-way lead. Team Langer has just holed another birdie putt to move level with the Lehmans and Harringtons, and, as predicted, they are now joined by Tiger and Charlie!
TEAM WOODS SAFELY ON AT 17
There was a moment of uncertainty at the par 3 17th, especially when Charlie found the water to the left. However, Tiger slots his iron approach to the heart of the green and the father-son pair will have a birdie putt coming up.
Behind this group is Team Langer and Team Singh, with Langer 12-under and Singh 11-under. The duo have gone slightly unnoticed with Team Woods in front, but they are firmly in contention here.
DUVAL'S EAGLE THE LAST
David and Brady Duval eagle the final hole to shoot nine-under-par, whilst their playing partners John Daly and John Daly II also shoot a nine-under 63 to currently sit three back going into Sunday.
It's a tight leaderboard here in Florida and, at the par 4 16th, Vijay Singh holes a birdie putt to move him and Qass into a five-way share of the lead at 12-under. Thrilling stuff here at the PNC Championship.
HUGE DRIVES FROM TIGER AND CHARLIE
The 18th is a great chance for a birdie and, after finding the fairway with his tee shot, Tiger allows Charlie to open his shoulders which the 15-year-old does. He bombs his drive down and the pair will have nothing more than a long iron in.
Behind the father-son duo, Vijay Singh finds the green, albeit a distance away, whilst Bernhard Langer fires a laser-like long iron at the flag which rests 20-feet from the hole. Another possible birdie inbound?
TEAM KORDA FIRE A 63
After a six-under front nine of 30, it seemed that Team Korda would be well up the leaderboard. However, Nelly and Petr have somewhat fizzled out on the back nine, as a three-under 33 gives them a nine-under 63.
They will start around four back going into Sunday, with their playing partners, Freddie Couples and stepson Hunter, firing an eight-under 64 to sit well back going into the final day.
TIGER FINDS THE GREEN AT 18
Following a huge drive from Charlie, Tiger fires an iron to pin-high of the flag. They will have around 25-feet for an eagle and the clubhouse lead, with Team Woods sat in that five-way share of top spot right now.
In the group, Justin Leonard produces a stunning fairway wood approach that just clears the greenside bunker and rolls to around 15-feet. They're currently solo 18th, but have birdied the last two holes so it would be a respectable finish for the father-son pairing.
TEAM WOODS LEAD THE PNC CHAMPIONSHIP
What a round from Tiger and Charlie, who fire 13 birdies to claim a one shot lead at the PNC Championship!
SHORT GAME MASTERCLASS
Both Team Langer and Team Singh find the 18th green in two, but the pairs have some work to do to get up-and-down. However, Vijay sticks a long putt to within inches, whilst Bernhard puts his chip to tap-in range.
The pairs get up-and-down for birdie and get to 13-under-par alongside Team Woods. Going into Sunday, we will have a three-way tie for the lead, with 14 pairs within five shots. Exciting finish in-store on Sunday!
CAN TEAM WOODS CLAIM A FIRST PNC CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE?
Team Woods, Team Langer and Team Singh share the lead going into the final round and, with 18 holes remaining, it's all too play for in Florida.
Can Team Woods claim a first PNC Championship? Can Bernhard Langer secure an historic sixth title in this tournament? Or will Team Singh scoop a second trophy in three years? Tomorrow is set to be an epic so tune in for all the action!
