By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. — ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods was an 18-year-old senior in high school when he made his first cut in a professional event at a European Tour event in Thailand. That also was the first time he played with Bernhard Langer.

After three decades, the enduring Langer continues to thrive.

Langer capped off his memorable, record-setting year when he teamed with his son, Jason, to produce a 13-under 59 in 30 mph wind for a two-shot victory over David Duval and his son.

Langer achieved his fifth victory at the PNC Championship, equalling Raymond Floyd’s record, with three wins alongside Jason and two with his older son Stefan.

Tiger Woods and his 14-year-old son, Charlie, teamed up to shoot a 61 in the scramble format, tying for fifth place. During the round, Woods attempted an impressive shot that left him laughing in amazement. On the ninth hole at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, he missed the green by a significant margin. However, his son, following in his father’s footsteps as a golf prodigy, chipped it in for a birdie.

It wasn’t just the chip-in — it was the stare, the sideways walk, the raised finger point, the fist pump and the road. Woods watched all this and couldn’t smile any wider, especially when he looked over at Steve Stricker.

Woods described the moment when he witnessed the reaction firsthand. “He became enthusiastic and I glanced at Stricks who was shaking his head in agreement. It was a fantastic moment.”

The PNC Championship is a tournament that pairs major champions with their family members, and it is designed to create special moments like this one. Brady Duval, a player from Coastal Carolina, made a remarkable shot with a 6-iron on the last hole, landing the ball just 2 feet away from the hole for an eagle. This secured him second place in the tournament and his father, a former world number one player, was beaming with pride.

However, the main focus of the day, and even the entire year, was on Langer, a 66-year-old German golfer and two-time winner of the Masters tournament who continues to defy expectations. Langer’s standout achievement this year was winning twice on the PGA Tour Championship, bringing his total number of victories to 46 and surpassing the record previously held by Hale Irwin, which was once considered unattainable for a senior golfer.

The U.S. Senior Open was won on the 46th occasion.

Langer and his son, who is employed in the investment banking industry in New York, began the game three shots behind Matt Kuchar and his son. They performed exceptionally well, taking the lead after four holes and maintaining their pace throughout. They did not achieve par until the eighth hole, a par-3, but managed to score 10 birdies within just 11 holes.

Due to his work commitments, Jason’s playing time is limited. However, he arrived in Florida early to get some practice in and it definitely paid off on the greens. He rarely missed a shot.

Langer expressed his amazement at watching him putt, stating that the ball consistently stayed on the intended line. Any misses were attributed to misreading the green, and it is likely that he would have made all of the putts if not for that.

Langer and Floyd’s PNC titles differ in terms of longevity. Langer has consistently maintained this trend, winning his first PNC Championship in 2005 and earning the Willie Park Trophy, a prestigious red leather champion’s belt, 18 years later.

Floyd emerged victorious in five out of the first seven PNC Championships.

Woods knows all about the German’s longevity. He recalls the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand, playing in his mother’s homeland, and being grouped with Langer, the reigning Masters champion.

Wood said it was the first time he had seen someone using meters, which was a new experience for him.

“He has shown a lot of progress and consistency every year, despite facing challenges on the golf course. His ability to adapt to different styles and keep pushing forward showcases his strong personality and determination. It speaks volumes about the type of person he is, persevering through it all,” he expressed.

Langer remembers a rail-thin teenager with extraordinary speed, power and “a hunger for the game. And you just knew he was going to more than most, and he certain has.”

Woods completed his year by participating in two tournaments, playing 72 holes in the Bahamas and 36 holes in the PNC Championship. He walked all but one round in Orlando and did not experience any ankle pain, although other parts of his body that had been injured bothered him.

However, there is still a possibility for 2024 and he is determined to continue playing once a month.

“He mentioned that he will be capable of walking and engaging in physical activities,” he stated. “We have been putting in a lot of effort in our workouts and have been successful in recovering. Our training sessions have been consistent, which is fantastic. It has been satisfying to get rid of some of the rust and uncertainty that I have been feeling because, to be honest, it has been a while since I made a shot that actually counted.”

“It has been enjoyable to post a score, hit shots accurately, and face the consequences of each shot.”

Langer was strolling along the 18th fairway with his son-in-law, who was acting as his caddy. His son-in-law inquired about the whereabouts of the front tee, which was being utilized by 84-year-old Lee Trevino and Annika Sorenstam’s 12-year-old son, Will McGee.

Langer’s son-in-law suggested that he may one day be playing from the forward tees with his grandkids, which brought a smile to Langer’s face.

He stated, “We will observe.”

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Source: wralsportsfan.com