Tiger Woods is doing what he can for his children, including playing in the PNC Championship with his son Charlie even when he does not feel like he is in game shape.

Both Tiger and Charlie are competing in the PNC Championship, which is just the first time the golf legend has been on the links since July. The 48-year-old had been recovering after numerous injuries cut his participation in events this year short, as he struggled to find any consistency.

Now playing with Charlie, Tiger has been putting his health and recovery at risk in order to be with his son. And considering how competitive the golfers are, Tiger noted that it was nice to be with his son in a way that sees them playing on the same team for once.

“This week, it’s about us coming together and teaming up, and normally we’re opposing each other,’ the golf legend said, per Essentially Sports. “But this time we are a team, and we’re going to have a bunch of fun. I love that.”

The Woods pairing ended the first day of the event joint top of the leaderboard. Tiger played so well that a reporter pressured him to admit he was downplaying the state of his game. He refused to make a full U-turn, simply stating: “Yeah, it’s okay.”

It is clear the elder Woods is enjoying his time playing with his 15-year-old son. While the two were competing, NBC Sports caught up with the legendary pair and Tiger couldn’t help but continually praise the golfer his son is becoming, beaming with pride as he described his son’s growth.

“Well, each and every year, he’s gotten so much bigger and stronger and better,” Tiger began. “He’s growing up in the game and it’s fun to see the development over the years and to be able to have these experiences with Charlie and be able to walk inside the ropes.

Tiger Woods and his son Charlie Woods talk with reporters after their first round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 21, 2024 in Orlando, Florida

Tiger Woods and his 15-year-old son Charlie have been playing in the PNC Championships together ( 

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Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

“Normally, where the banter is against each other, pretty much each and every day, but this week is for each other. We’re just rooting so hard for each of us to pull off each shot that we want.” And so far, the Woods’s are outperforming expectations, combining for -13 in the opening round of 59 to sit atop the leaderboards.

It was the first time in over five years that Tiger sat atop the leaderboard of a tournament, with the 48-year-old sitting atop the Zozo Championship, which was also his last PGA Tour victory. Additionally, Tiger and Charlie’s performance goes against how the former described himself before the tournament.

Speaking to the Golf Channel before the PNC Championship, the elder Woods admitted he was “rusty, very, very rusty.”

“I don’t have my feels and my trajectory is off, my shape shots,” Tiger said. “But hey, this is a practice round – we’re here to get ready for tomorrow. I’m not looking forward to being tomorrow, but it’s going to be, it is what it is. And hopefully Charlie drives it. So I just pick up and move on.”

He also added that he was not at a “competitive level,” stating: “‘Im not competitively sharp, but it’s more of a bonding experience to be able to have friends and family and be able to compete and have fun with Charlie. I mean, that’s what this week’s all about.”

Regardless of how the situation pans out for the Woods’s, Tiger understands that playing alongside his son is more important than anything. “It’s another great day of family bonding,” he said, per FOX Sports. “We had a great day out there with the Leonards.

“Lenny goes to the same school as Sam and Charlie. We’ve all got to know each other over the years. To be out here in this environment, and to have fun like this, it doesn’t get any better.”