Tiger’s son makes the ace. Bernhard Langer makes the winning putt in the playoff over Woods at PNC

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Tiger Woods has never had so much fun losing in a playoff. For 67-year-old Bernhard Langer, winning the PNC championship with his son never gets old.

They all delivered a riveting show on Sunday, from 15 years old Charlie Woods makes his first hole-in-one to Langer, who hit the shot that ultimately meant an 18-foot eagle putt on the first playoff hole for his record sixth title in the tournament, with everyone leaving happy.

“It was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie, making his first hole-in-one, (daughter) Sam on the bag, just our family and friends. That’s what this event is about. It’s about about bonding and family,” Woods said.

“I know we didn’t win, but it was the fact that we competed,” he said. “There’s not really anyone who made a mistake out there. We had to earn it and that’s what you want. Hats off to Langers. They played great.”

Langer and 24-year-old son Jason won for the second year in a row, and Langer became the only player to win the PNC Championship back-to-back with two sons as partners. He won twice (2005 and 2006) with Stefan, who was the caddy for his younger brother on Sunday.

What made this one special was the opponent.

Woods, playing for the first time since a sixth lower back surgery in September, moved well and delivered key shots in a duel at such a high level that both teams made just four pars and shot a 15-under 57 in the scramble format.

Woods hit the driver off the deck on the par-5 14th. Langer followed by hitting the driver out of a bunker on that hole and nearly finding the green, landing in a greenside bunker.

“One of the best shots I’ve ever seen,” Woods said of Langer, who turned pro three years before Woods was born.

Jason Langer, who played college golf at Penn, is an investment banker in New York who doesn’t play much. But he handled the stage – playing with Tiger Woods is not easy for seasoned pros – like he had been there before.

“I’m just so proud of him,” Langer said. “First time playing with Tiger in the limelight. It is not easy. Many people move. They really aren’t always interested in what we do. But very proud of him the way he handled himself. He hit a couple of great irons into 18 to give us the opportunity to make birdie and then eagle.”

The two-time Masters champion was equally impressed with Woods and son for embracing the spirit of this tournament amid competition so close that neither team led by more than a shot throughout the round. They broke the tournament scoring record of 28 under 116.

Woods broke into a big smile when Langer won. The real thrill was watching Charlie hit a 7-iron from 175 yards on the par-3 four that covered the flag, took a few bounces and rolled in.

Woods hugged his son as tightly as he did when he won the 2019 Masters and gave him a playful nudge, then reminded the high school he needed to buy everyone a round of drinks.

“I’m devastated,” Charlie replied.

Even in defeat, Charlie said hole-in-onethe big closing round, the playoff, everything, was the most fun he’s had on the golf course.

“It’s not even close,” he said.

In the playoff, Langer had the advantage on the par 5s due to his age. Anyone over 65 played the third set of tees, which was 82 yards in front where Woods would play and 52 yards in front where the two sons hit.

Charlie reached just short of the green with his second shot. His 25-foot eagle putt hit the edge of the hole but had too much pace. Woods missed low. Jason Langer hit his approach to 18 feet, narrowly missed the putt and left it to his ageless father to win.

For Woods, it was his first time in a playoff since Zach Johnson beat him at Sherwood in the 2013 World Challenge.

On a chilly afternoon, every seat was filled in the bleachers behind the 18th green, with fans in jackets packed down the side of the fairway. It was entertaining, along with a rare chance to see Woods on the golf course.

It capped off another stellar year for Langer, a two-time Masters champion. He tore his Achilles tendon playing pickleball at the start of the year, recovered in four months and extended his 50-and-older PGA Tour Champions streak by winning for the 18th consecutive season.

And now he has six titles in the PNC Championship – four with Jason, two with Stefan.

No one else was closer than five shots. Padraig Harrington and son Paddy were among those who finished third and they had their own moment then Paddy made a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole.

“I was too excited. You couldn’t have talked to me,” Harrington said of watching his son make an ace. “I was gone. This is a big event and it’s all great. And we try to play well, but it was pure joy.”

The tournament is for winners of a major on any tour or The Players Championship and a family member. The purse is just over $1 million. Team Langer won $200,000, the amount of the new Ryder Cup scholarship for Americans.

In an era of big money and big disruption in golf, this was refreshing.

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