By:
Claire Rogers
December 16, 2022
Tiger on Friday on the PNC Championship
Claire Rogers
Hi there, mates, and welcome to a particular Friday version of the Rogers Report! To place it fairly merely, immediately was superior. I had by no means adopted Tiger for a full 18 holes, however immediately? Immediately I acquired to be contained in the ropes following him and Charlie. Entering into, I had no thought what to anticipate. Lots of people, certain. And loads of safety. However apart from that I used to be simply wanting to learn the way it might all play out. So let’s run by my day from begin to end.
MORNING
Tiger and Charlie arrived on the scene at round 8:00 a.m. As for me? At that time I used to be a number of miles away, dashing down 11 flights of stairs as a result of the fireplace alarm had simply gone off at my lodge. On paper, not how I’d deliberate it out — however this was no time to get down. My coworker James and I finished at Dunkin’ on our option to the course and vibes have been excessive. As a local New Englander, the one factor higher than watching golf is watching golf with an ice-cold Dunks cup in hand.
This video, taken as Group Woods acquired prepared within the car parking zone, is intriguing. Why did Tiger have a baseball bat available in his trunk? I’m unsure. However don’t be shocked in case you see some weekend warriors making some baseball swings in a course car parking zone close to you quickly.
The largest crowd of the day was the one following Tiger, however with restricted tickets to the occasion, the gang was just a few individuals deep as soon as Tiger made his approach down the primary fairway. However make no mistake: the Charlie Woods obsession is actual. Full-grown adults have been asking him for autographs and photos, a few of which felt somewhat invasive. However general, the group’s vibes have been laid again, which made for an additional enjoyable morning.
Tiger and Charlie switched teams on the flip, however one of many amateurs within the first group was Arnold Palmer’s grandson (no, not Sam Saunders) Will Wears. He was rocking the signature Justin Thomas joggers-and-dress-golf-shoes look.
The amateurs who teed it up with the Woodses have been actually good golfers. Is there some kind of screening course of that they should undergo earlier than teeing it up with Tiger? In that case, I remorse to tell you all that my high-handicap self won’t ever make it by.
I discovered myself in a great spot proper behind Tiger for his tee shot on No. 2, the place I snapped my favourite photograph of the day.
FAN INTERACTION
After seeing a number of (dozen) individuals yell to Charlie, I anticipated Tiger to stiffen up a bit. I do know I’d if it have been occurring to my child (hypothetically — I’ve no kids). However he didn’t appear postpone by any of it and truly went out of his option to work together with the gang a great quantity. I suppose that’s a part of the magic of the PNC. The stress is off, Christmas is every week away and morale is excessive.
Just a few interactions I jotted down with followers immediately:
A younger child yelled “Hello Mr. Woods!” and Tiger seemed his approach and mentioned again “Yo! What’s up?”Jordan Spieth was within the group forward of Tiger and there have been backups on tees a number of instances all through the day. Tiger mentioned “Hey, Golden Youngster!” the primary time they overlapped on the tee. Then he did it the subsequent few instances, too. However I suppose if Tiger’s calling you that, you understand you’ve achieved one thing proper.A fan spent a stable 30 seconds yelling making an attempt to get Tiger’s consideration to ask about Michael Jordan. Tiger’s reply? “Michael Jordan? I don’t know that man.” That one acquired the gang going.A toddler stored screaming “Hello, Tigey!” and Tiger thought it was hilarious. “Tigey? Who’s that?” he replied.After an newbie within the group hit an errant shot, Tiger was fast to mutter “Ah, the wind acquired that one!” The person has jokes.After taking his first shot of the again 9 on No. 16 — and from 73 yards out — he referred to himself as a “group participant.” And eventually, after hours of ignoring autograph requests, Tiger sighed “Don’t fear. I hear you” to the handfuls of adults who thought their fortieth time asking for a signature is likely to be the time they acquired a special reply.
DAD MODE
Quickly it was time for lunch, and Tiger and Charlie had hen tenders and french fries delivered from the clubhouse whereas they sipped on Pepsi and waited on the tenth tee. The again 9 is the place the father-son moments have been taken up a notch.
A common fact of contemporary parenting appears to be that you’re required to take fixed photographs of your youngsters. (Simply immediately I acquired a video of my little sister performing Feliz Navidad together with her fourth-grade class.) As a result of Tiger didn’t hit any tee pictures on the again 9, his consideration went fully to Charlie’s recreation.
By no means thoughts clubhead place. Have a look at that video-taking stance! That is the kind of dedication I need from my mates once I ask them to take my photograph. Regardless of the gaggle {of professional} photographers and videographers taking swing movies of Charlie immediately, Tiger wanted one thing he might entry immediately for some real-time teaching. Big “golf dad” vitality.
After their spherical, I requested Tiger what his favourite second of the day was. He mentioned “all of them.” I imagine him.
MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS (AND EXPLANATIONS)
Tiger on the PNC Championship
Claire Rogers
I’m unsure if it’s a Nike factor or what, however Tiger Woods took this vest on and off extra instances than Scottie Scheffler did on Saturday on the Masters.
The sandwich in Tiger’s cart
Claire Rogers
We all know that Tiger is a peanut butter and banana sandwich man, however there was some kind of cheese sandwich with the notice “Play effectively! Have enjoyable!” on the bag. It took me again to elementary faculty, the place my loving father would depart a notice in my lunchbox if I’d thrown a tantrum earlier than faculty.
Tiger giving a younger fan a fist-bump
Claire Rogers
Healthful second alert! Tiger went proper up to a couple younger followers to say hello whereas ready on the tee field.
Tiger and Charlie Woods
Claire Rogers
All in all it was a historic day for the Rogers Report and — for me, personally — one I received’t quickly overlook.
Plus the match’s simply starting! We’ll see you this weekend.
Claire Rogers
Golf.com Editor