Charlie Woods makes hole-in-one at PNC — and reaction is priceless 

Charlie Woods didn’t see it. Really? No way? He shrugged his hands. 

What about his dad? Hmm. Tiger Woods’ back was turned. 

No matter. And no worries. 

The younger Woods’ hole in one was still good. It still counted.

A hole-in-one? From the 15-year-old son of the 15-time major champion? Believe it. The content gods must truly be smiling this holiday season. The ace came Sunday, during the second and final round of the PNC Championship, the (mostly friendly) pro-relative scramble event that wraps up the pro golf year. On the 174-yard, par-3 4th at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla., Charlie Woods swung, his ball bounced three times, and it found the bottom of the hole. 

The shot had looked special upon contact, on-course analyst Jim “Bones” Mackay said during the Golf Channel broadcast. “This is a great-looking shot if it’s the right number,” the longtime caddie said. And it was. After two practice swings while standing behind the ball and two looks at the hole while standing over his rock, the younger Woods’ 7-iron was true.   

Only he didn’t catch the ace. The hole is a bit hidden from the tee box. There, Charlie looked up, started to walk to his right — then paused. He looked confused. He lifted his hands bemusingly. 

Then he smiled. 

His caddie, buddy Luke Wise, raised his hands behind him. 

Dad walked over. He hugged him. Hard. He put his hands around his shoulders and pushed him. 

“And guess what? His father was actually not watching,” announcer Steve Sands said on the broadcast. “He had to take a break for a second, comes back out, hears the roar of the crowd, and Charlie Woods has made an ace at the PNC Championship. … What a moment.”

Indeed. It goes down as Charlie’s first hole in one; notably, in his first appearance at the PNC, in 2020, he had made his first eagle. The ace had also moved Team Woods to the top of the leaderboard in the two-round event. 

Walking down the fairway, Charlie had this exchange with Mackay:

Said Mackay: “Charlie, your first-ever hole-in-one. Tell us about the shot.” 

Said Charlie: “I don’t know. It was a perfect 7-iron, so just kind of hit it. Just 175, wind off the left, a little cut 7.” 

Said Mackay: “A little cut 7. Had to look good to you in the air. What a thrill to do that in front of your dad and all these people?”

Said Charlie: “It was awesome. I didn’t think it went in. I don’t believe anybody until I go up there and see it.” 

Said Mackay: “Great shot.” 

Said Charlie: “Thank you.”

At the hole, Charlie plucked the ball from the hole with his right, quickly saluted the crowd, then repaired his ball mark. There was also a matter of hole-in-one business to review too. 

Golf Channel cameras and mics picked up this conversation:

Said Tiger to Charlie: “You’re buying.” 

Said Sam Woods, Woods’ daughter who’s caddying for her dad: “You’re buying?” 

Said Tiger: “You’re buying. He has to buy for making the hole-in-one.” 

Said Charlie: “I’m broke.”

Said announcer Dan Hicks: “Charlie’s saying he’s broke. He’s only 15, but maybe it’ll be milkshakes.”