Tiger Woods and his son Charlie won’t be teeing it up at this year’s PNC Championship, and while that news might disappoint fans hoping for another father-son showcase, it doesn’t take away from what this event has come to represent - a celebration of generational talent and family bonds in golf.
Tiger made the announcement during his annual press conference at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, confirming that Team Woods will sit out the 2025 edition of the PNC Championship, set for December 18-21 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando.
This tournament has become something of a December tradition for the Woods family. Over the past few years, it’s offered Tiger a unique opportunity - not just to compete, but to share the stage with his son in a way that transcends wins and losses.
And last year? They came as close as it gets.
Team Woods finished tied for first after 36 holes, pushing the eventual champions, Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, into a playoff. That 28-under finish marked Tiger’s first playoff appearance in more than a decade.
For Charlie, it was a coming-of-age moment on the course - one highlighted by his first eagle and his first hole-in-one, both coming on Sunday. The smile on his face said it all, but he put it into words anyway: “It’s not even close,” Charlie said when asked if it was the most fun he’s ever had on a golf course.
That’s the beauty of the PNC Championship. It’s not just about the scores - though the level of play is elite.
Last year’s field featured a staggering 69 major titles, 40 senior majors, and over 1,000 international wins. Five past champions returned, and two new teams made their debut.
Nelly Korda, then the world’s top-ranked woman, headlined a group where more than half the field had held a No. 1 world ranking at some point in their careers.
To qualify, the formula is simple: you need to be a major champion or a Players Championship winner, and your partner must not have any professional Tour status. That’s what makes it special - the mix of legends and loved ones, competing together in an environment that’s as competitive as it is heartfelt.
PNC Bank has been the title sponsor for 14 years now, and the event was officially renamed the PNC Championship in 2020. Since then, it’s only grown in stature - not just as a golf tournament, but as a showcase of family, legacy, and the kind of moments that remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.
While Tiger and Charlie won’t be in the field this year, their absence doesn’t diminish the tournament’s meaning. If anything, it highlights just how much their presence has elevated the event in recent years.
And knowing Tiger, this isn’t goodbye - it’s just a pause. The Woods duo has already given us unforgettable memories in this event, and there’s every reason to believe there are more to come down the road.