THEY say like father like son, but in the case of Charlie and Tiger Woods the resemblance on the course is uncanny.
The pair teamed up at the PNC Championship that pits parents and their offspring together for the second-year running.
It was supposed to be about Tiger’s return to the golf world, just 10 months after a horror car crash left him bed-ridden.
Instead, it was 12-year-old Charlie who stole the show – outshining his famous dad with an incredible display that wowed fans.
And even though they finished runners-up to John Daly and his son Little John, in Charlie it was clear a star was born.
GOLF PRODIGY
It was said last year that Charlie was a golf prodigy like his dad.
Of course, it’s in his blood given his father is who he is, while Tiger’s niece Cheyenne Woods is also a pro.
Last year, he won a nine-hole kids tournament, blowing the opposition away to win by five strokes.
A video went viral of Charlie’s swing at the event at the Hammock Creek Golf Club in Palm City, Florida, as he shot a blistering three-under 33 in the tournament, with three birdies and no bogeys on the scorecard.
His caddie for that occasion was none-other-than his old man.
Tiger told GolfTV of his son: “He’s starting to get into it, he’s starting to understand how to play.
“He’s asking me the right questions. I’ve kept it competitive with his par, so it’s been just an absolute blast to go out there and just, you know, be with him.
“It reminds me so much of me and my dad growing up.”
AN UNCANNY RESEMBLANCE
When Charlie burst onto the scene last year, one thing was for certain. He carried the same mannerisms as his dad.
From the club twirling to the same fist-pump, mini Tiger appeared a chip off the old block. Even their swing looks the same.
Tutelage from his father has helped, while Justin Thomas’s dad Mike has also provided some sage advice.
Although Charlie’s handicap is unknown, it is believed to be somewhere in the scratch mark.
Some betting companies are already reportedly taking bets on whether he could win a Major by the age of 22 – with odds at 1500-1.
Considering Tiger won the 1997 Masters at 21, that might just be worth a flutter.
A STAR TURN
This year has been a traumatic one for the Woods family.
Tiger may have survived a horrific car accident in Los Angeles back in February, but the future of his professional golf career is still uncertain.
He admitted he was lucky not to lose a limb in the crash, and it was evident he’s still recovering as he grimaced around the course of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
But what was also evident was how Charlie’s game has improved since last year’s PNC Championship appearance.
Before the tournament, he enlisted the help of putting guru Brad Faxon to aid his game. A progression certainly showed.
The Woods’ set a tournament record with an astonishing 11 birdies in a row in the final round.
And not once did Charlie allow himself to be distracted by the cheers and the furore around him.
He remained focused and showed a tunnelled-vision demeanour reminiscent of his dad.
Some of the shots he pulled off – clutch putts, bomb drives, and laser approaches showed he has plenty of variety to his game already.
By the end of Sunday, they finished in second place on 25 under par to John Daly and his son by two strokes.
Afterwards, Tiger admitted: “I’m just happy, thankful, that I’m able to do this.”
But the day really belonged to Charlie, the pre-teen wonderkid who seems destined for the PGA Tour.
