Round 1 at the PNC Championship felt like a day marked by little victories. Just ask Justin Thomas:
“Crazy cool to be out on the course with Tiger, Charlie and my dad,” he said. “I’m definitely calling it a success that both my dad and Tiger made it 18 holes.”
There has been understandably less scrutiny on Mike Thomas’ back than Tiger Woods’ leg, but Team Thomas is defending its title this week, and its older member was in unmistakable pain for much of Saturday’s round. Getting through the round — at 12 under, no less, good for a share of second place — was a victory.
“He’s fine,” Justin sighed, then caught himself. “I mean, I’ll never know how he is because he won’t — he says fine to everything.”
Tiger Woods admitted a small victory of his own because he hit three shots exactly how he intended. “One was on 3, the par-5,” he said. “It was a 220-yard 4-iron which I hit probably eight feet behind the hole. I hit a good one at 14, the [approach at the] par-5, and I smoked a 7-iron at 17.”
Solid contact brings joy; that’s the comeback stage in which Woods currently resides. Embracing golf’s simple pleasures. (He added an additional win by outdriving Thomas at No. 11, too.)
Two European dads claimed victories of their own.
Henrik Stenson completed his first competitive round alongside his son Karl, who is this week’s youngest (and perhaps funniest) participant.
“We watched the event last year and Tiger and Charlie played, and I think that sparked some interest and he’s been keen on his golf the last couple of years,” Stenson said. “I think I’ve never been more proud of him in my life, I’d say. He did exceptionally well given it’s our first time out there, lots of people. He put pressure on himself.”
“[I hit it] not too bad, but I wasn’t too happy with the shots,” Karl said.
The other winning Euro dad was Ian Poulter, who wasn’t in the field but lives just 20 minutes away in Lake Nona. He and his son Joshua — Karl’s semi-regular playing partner — came over to see the scene and to chat up the youngest member of Team Woods, who Poulter said his son looks up to “just like we look up to Tiger Woods.” The Charlie Effect has begun.
A joy to meet Charlie Woods this morning at @PNCchampionship
Joshua has followed him with interest & looks up to Charlie just like we look up to @TigerWoods . This picture fills me with joy seeing our next generation grow to love this game. The future of golf is exciting! 🙏🏼👍🏼👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/qKHGrqqpvS— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 18, 2021
But perhaps the best moment all day came behind the 18th green, where Nelly Korda waited post-round for Woods to finish up. There’s a good chance you’ve already seen it; the video took over the golf internet Saturday night. (video below)
What’s the backstory? Korda has admired Woods from afar but never actually met him. I always subconsciously assume all top pros, even those from different tours, all know each other. In reality, unless they share agents or sponsors or a hometown, how would they? But Nelly had been eager to connect with her golfing hero all week; she was practically giddy at the idea before he’d even arrived on property.
“Playing right in front of Tiger Woods is pretty cool, I’m not going to lie,” she said on Thursday. “I don’t really watch a lot of golf, but when Tiger is in contention, I’m always glued to the TV.”
Team Korda played one group ahead of Team Woods on Saturday, and so the Kordas hung around after, Nelly and her pro tennis player father Petr and her pro tennis player brother Seb, all waiting for pro golfer Tiger Woods. A cameraman caught the moment as Nelly made her approach.
“Hi, Tiger,” Korda said sheepishly as Woods snagged his watch from his bag and prepared to speak to the media. “I was wondering if I could take a photo with you.”
“Nelly!” Woods replied, excited. “Yes. You got it. Done deal.”
“I didn’t want to bother you right now, but I really wanted a photo,” Korda added with a laugh.
The moment was particularly cool because of Korda’s own star power. She’s had a massive 2021, winning a major, an Olympic gold and ascending to World No. 1. There’s nothing relatable about the way she hits a golf ball, nor the way she slams the door on the competition when she’s in contention. But the way she approached Tiger Woods, excited and a little nervous? Plenty of golf fans know that feeling.
“Ah, so cool!” Nelly exclaimed to the camera as she walked away, gleeful. “Dream come true.”
The video spread like crazy. There was something aspirational about the moment and about Nelly’s genuine excitement. It’s fun, watching people get excited. And in this case, the admiration goes both ways; Woods expressed his appreciation for Korda’s game just moments later.
“Just her golf swing, how fluid it is and her movement, the center strikes, the way she hits it and the way she controls it. Her temperament on the golf course, how hard she fights and she fights hard on every shot. You can’t say that about some players. Some players will dog it here and there. Nelly is not like that,” he said.
After media obligations, the Woodses, Kordas and Thomases congregated again on the driving range, where Charlie wanted to get a few extra reps in as the sun set. It was the sort of summit that could only happen at an event like this.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Nelly Korda won a major and an Olympic gold this year. She might be the best female golfer in the world! So watching her geek out over meeting Tiger Woods was the best thing I saw today pic.twitter.com/c2HPOMhs3C
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) December 19, 2021
Article originally appeared on: Golf.com