Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods said Saturday that while a return to the PGA Tour is in the cards, he isn't sure when it will occur.

Woods made the declaration during an interview with CBS Sports' Jim Nantz at the Genesis Invitational, which is the tournament he hosts at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California:

“You will see me on the PGA TOUR, I just don’t know when.” @TigerWoods joins Jim Nantz and @nickfaldo006 to discuss his rehab and return to golf. pic.twitter.com/tKzhH8pnJ5

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 19, 2022

When Nantz asked Woods if he expected to be back on the PGA Tour some time in 2022, Woods responded, "You'll see me on the PGA Tour. I just don't know when."

Nantz also asked Woods about playing in the Masters in April, and according to Mitch Brown of Fox 56, Tiger said, "I don't know. We'll see. I'll be [at Augusta National on] Tuesday."

Woods has not played in an official PGA Tour event as an individual since the Masters in November 2020. Tiger underwent back surgery in December 2020 and then suffered major leg injuries in a February 2021 car accident.

While there was some thought that the 46-year-old Woods would never play competitive golf again after breaking both of his legs, Tiger was back on the course in December for the PNC Championship.

Woods teamed with his 12-year-old son, Charlie, and they finished second in the 36-hole event which pairs past major champions with family members.

Tiger's performance in that tournament drummed up some hope that he could be back playing in bigger tournaments soon, but there are apparently still hurdles left for him to clear.

In speaking with Nantz, Woods said that while he can hit balls without much issue, walking the course is a struggle because of his leg injuries.

Additionally, Woods has dealt with many more injuries in recent years, specifically to his back and knee.

The injuries were so bad that it was once assumed Woods would never be able to play at an elite level again, but he did the unthinkable by winning the 2019 Masters, which marked his first major tournament win since the 2008 U.S. Open.

That gave Woods 15 major tournament wins for his career, moving him within three of the record of 18 set by Jack Nicklaus.

The car accident seemingly decreased the odds of Woods challenging Nicklaus' record significantly, but it is clear Tiger isn't given up on playing in meaningful tournaments quite yet.

With five green jackets to his credit, Woods has long excelled in the Masters, and if he is able to play in the 2022 edition of the tournament, it will be massive news in the golf world regardless of how he performs.

Tiger Woods spoke with reporters Wednesday prior to the start of the Genesis Invitational and provided rehab updates on injuries he suffered following a car accident last February.

He said he has a "long way to go" before he can compete again.

Tiger very clear that he isn't progressing as quickly as he'd like. Not at age 46. That part has been frustrating.

"I have a long way to go,” he says.

The Masters is 7 weeks away.

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 16, 2022

Woods also noted that walking on the golf course is still a challenge right now.

“I can walk on a treadmill all day. It’s straight, that’s easy. But walking on a golf course where there’s undulations, I have a long way to go. … Being in a cart, I can do that. But walking a golf course, that’s a totally different deal. I’ve got a long way to go.”

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) February 16, 2022

Woods' golfing activity has also been limited:

Tiger says his recent golf activity has been “very limited.” Lotta chipping and putting, short irons. But he hasn’t worked “seriously” on his longer clubs.

“I’m still working on the walking part.”

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 16, 2022

He's also not sure when he will return:

Tiger on his recovery: "I wish I could tell you when I'll play again, but I don't...I haven't done any of the long stuff seriously. I'm still working on the walking part.

"My foot was a little messed up there a year ago, so the walking part...it still takes time."

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) February 16, 2022

Woods' days working a full-time schedule are over, but he said he will pick and choose events when he's back.

Tiger was asked his future on Tour: “Will I come back, yes. Will I come back and play a full schedule, no … Pick and choose my events," he said.

— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) February 16, 2022

The 15-time major winner is serving as the host for the Genesis Invitational, which is taking place at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, beginning Thursday. The tournament benefits his charity, the TGR Foundation.

Matt Bonesteel of the Washington Post summarized Woods' injuries last May:

Woods suffered comminuted open fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his right leg, which means both bones broke into at least three pieces and broke through the skin. He also suffered foot and ankle injuries and is rehabbing at his home in Florida after flying there from California in March.

Woods did play in the PNC Championship last December with his son, Charlie, marking his first time playing in a golf event since last February.

Twenty major champions paired with a member of their family for a two-round tournament. In the end, Team Woods took second.

Given Woods' comments Wednesday, he seems unlikely to make his return at the Masters, where he earned a remarkable come-from-behind victory in 2019. The Masters will start at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 7.

However, Woods at least appears to be making progress as he continues a long and arduous rehab process.

John Daly saw enough from Tiger Woods during last weekend's 2021 PNC Championship to believe Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships is still in danger.

Daly won the tournament with his son, John II, but it was the Woods tandem of Tiger and his son, Charlie, who stole the spotlight for the second straight year.

Charlie, 12, delivered a series of highlight-reel shots, and Tiger, playing for the first time since a February car crash, looked well on his way toward another PGA Tour comeback. His biggest issue will likely be regaining the leg strength to walk 18 holes (he used a cart in the family event).

Daly, a two-time major champion, explained on Fox News' Fox & Friends (h/t Riley Hamel of Golfweek) that fatigue was a factor for Woods, but he still saw the legendary competitive fire.

"I think Tiger's gonna be fine," Daly said. "He looked good. He looked a little tired, but he still looked great. He'll be back, and I could see it in his eyes. He's probably gonna beat Jack Nicklaus' records and be the greatest of all time."

Woods has won 15 major titles, the most recent coming in the 2019 Masters to cap a remarkable comeback story. That leaves him three behind Nicklaus for the all-time mark.

The 45-year-old fan favorite has consistently played down expectations, saying he's nowhere near ready to compete at golf's biggest events despite playing well in the PNC Championship.

"I'm not at that level," Woods told reporters Sunday. "I can't compete against these guys right now, no. It's going to take a lot of work to get to where I can feel I can compete with these guys and be at a high level.''

He added any future involvement will be limited, coming well short of the 20ish yearly starts he used to make during his peak seasons.

"I like competing,'' Woods said. "I'm not going to play a full schedule ever again. I'm going to have to pick and choose what events, and even then, my body might not cooperate with that."

In all likelihood, that probably means the 82-time winner on the PGA Tour will likely try to tee it up at the four majors and a select few other tournaments throughout the year. Playing with Charlie in the PNC Championship each December will likely be one of those stops.

Winning three more majors to tie Nicklaus' record, and a fourth to stand alone atop the all-time list, seems like an uphill battle given Woods' age, injury history and the in-their-physical-prime opponents he must face in the major fields.

Daly isn't betting against him, though.

Tiger Woods had not played in a tournament after a car accident in February until this weekend's PNC Championship with his son Charlie, and the duo put on quite the show, finishing in second place at 25 under.

After the tournament, Woods spoke about being back on the links and what it meant to play with his son:

The competitive juices, they are never going to go away. This is my environment. This is what I've done my entire life. I'm just so thankful to be able to have this opportunity to do it again. Earlier this year was not a very good start to the year, and it didn't look very good. But the last few weeks, to push as hard as we have the last seven months with taking no days off and just working our butts off each and every day, and to have this opportunity to be able to play with my son and to have these memories, for us, for both of us, our lifetime, it's worth all the pain.

And the Woods duo played very, very well:

Tiger and Charlie Woods get 2nd in the PNC Championship 👏

They had 11 birdies in a row, the longest birdie streak in tournament history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/be1YbMs6WZ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 19, 2021

This was just fantastic from Tiger’s son… a star the making pic.twitter.com/5xkOcpo0sF

— Kevin Palmer 💙 (@RealKevinPalmer) December 20, 2021

While Woods was assured by doctors that participating in the tournament wouldn't put him at risk of further injuring his leg, pain management was still an issue going into the weekend. That pain is what will keep Woods from returning to PGA Tour play in the short term.

"I'm not at that level. I can't compete again these guys right now, no," Woods said Sunday. "It's going to take a lot of work to get to where I feel like I can compete at these guys and be at a high level."

That means more physical rehabilitation and weight-room work until Woods can return. But when he is back to the level he feels comfortable at, don't expect him to play every event on the calendar. 

"I'm not going to play a full schedule ever again," he said. "I'm going to have to pick and choose what events, and even then, my body might not cooperate with that. So I don't know how many events I'm going to be playing in. And it's going to be up to training sessions, practice sessions, recovery tactics, all those different things to be able to do it."

As for the PNC Championship, John Daly and his son John Daly II—currently a freshman on the Arkansas golf team—won the event, finishing two strokes ahead of Tiger and Charlie. 

Performance @PGA_JohnDaly and John Daly II won't soon forget!

Best from their Sunday 57. pic.twitter.com/ryH3AFUyy7

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 20, 2021

Hey Little John,

I ❤️ you.

Love,
Dad (@PGA_JohnDaly)pic.twitter.com/O7BqN2f3Zv

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 19, 2021

A memory to last a lifetime for @PGA_JohnDaly. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LbyvJ4KcmT

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 19, 2021

"Yesterday, it was all him. I putted so bad," the senior Daly told reporters after the win. "I finally hit some decent shots. He played unbelievable. I played a little better today. I made him happy."

A breathtaking performance by Tiger and Charlie Woods was the dominant story of the second round at the 2021 PNC Championship.

The father-son duo followed up their 62 in the first round with a 57 on Sunday. They finished the tournament with a 36-hole score of 25-under par, two shots behind John Daly and John Daly II (-27) for the top spot.

Tiger and Charlie posted 13 birdies, including a tournament-record 11 in a row from holes No. 7 through No. 17, and one eagle to finish 15 under par in the second round.

The longest birdie streak in tournament history.

A magical run for Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/Xy7lRdbYbL

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Even before they teed off, Tiger and Charlie came onto the course wearing the traditional Sunday red.

Tiger Woods and his son Charlie bringing back Sunday red ❤️

(via @PGATOUR)pic.twitter.com/LXmQUdJPMB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2021

Coming out of the first round, Tiger was very critical of his effort and offered an honest assessment of where he's at physically.

"It's frustrating when I don't hit the ball as far as I know that I can and the shots that I see don't come off the way I want," Woods told reporters. "By the old numbers, I don't have endurance. I haven't played. This is, what, my fourth, [fifth] round of the entire year. I don't have any golf endurance."

Tiger and Charlie got off to a blistering start Sunday. They were four-under-par through their first three holes, including an eagle on No. 3 that moved them into sole possession of the lead.

Dart from Tiger 🎯
Eagle from Charlie 🦅

The lead belongs to Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/bvpHsTRh6N

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Their momentum would be halted briefly, as they settled for par on each of their next three holes.

Things picked back up for the Woods duo on No. 7 with a birdie that was inches away from being an eagle.

Wedge game. 💯

A near hole-out and big smile from @TigerWoods. pic.twitter.com/jJgXdZcfin

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Charlie showed off his putting skills on No. 8 to sink another birdie for the team, which dropped their score to 16-under overall.

Tiger’s fist pump. Charlie’s early move for his ball marker.

There’s lots to like here 🐅#PNCchampionship #CelebrateFamilypic.twitter.com/5aFTl0eo0W

— PNC Championship (@PNCchampionship) December 19, 2021

Charlie's short game has been on point throughout the tournament. He made a long birdie putt on No. 4 in the first round, so the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree on the golf course.

Another long birdie putt from Charlie on No. 9 gave the team a front-nine score of 29 as they made the turn.

Birdie
Birdie
Birdie

Team Woods makes the turn two back. pic.twitter.com/SUQMy4HAYS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Not to be outdone by his 12-year-old son, Tiger did most of the heavy lifting on No. 10 with a terrific approach shot that set him up for a birdie putt.

Sunday charge.

Team Woods is showing no signs of slowing down. pic.twitter.com/pDU1Xkv0in

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

The charge continued throughout the back nine, highlighted by the moment on the par-three No. 17 with their 11th straight birdie overall, which briefly moved them into a tie for the lead.

Charlie set the birdie up with a fantastic tee shot that landed a few feet from the hole.

Watching in awe. 😲

11 birdies in a row for Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/iIP9S4UDOZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

I love the #NFL

The best thing on TV is Charlie Woods right now

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 19, 2021

Charlie Woods is a machine. This is magic to watch.

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) December 19, 2021

They still had work to do on No. 18 because the tandem of John Daly and John Daly II wasn't giving the Woods duo any wiggle room.

The Dalys, who were two holes behind Tiger and Charlie, regained the lead with a birdie on No. 16.

A par on No. 18 left the Woods duo waiting to see what the opposition would do. John Daly and John Daly II wound up making a birdie to secure the win.

Tiger couldn't have asked for a better way to make his return to competitive golf. He didn't sound totally sure of himself coming out of the first round, but playing alongside his son, the 45-year-old turned in a performance that will be remembered for a long time.

Team Daly held off Team Woods to claim the PNC Championship on Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.

Team Daly wins the PNC Championship!@PGA_JohnDaly and John Daly II card a final round 57. pic.twitter.com/N1WMWaXXJZ

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 19, 2021

John Daly and John Daly II shot 15 under on the final day to finish at 27 under, two shots better than the Woods in the two-person scramble format.

---

PNC Championship Leaderboard

1. Team Daly (-27)

2. Team Woods (-25)

T3. Team Thomas (-24)

T3. Team Cink (-24)

T5. Team Lehman (-21)

T5. Team Singh (-21)

---

Sunday provided an all-too-familiar sight with Team Woods mounting a major charge in the final round, only this time it wasn't Tiger striking fear into his competitors.

Charlie Woods stole the show as he and his dad reeled off 11 straight birdies to steadily move up the leaderboard. The 12-year-old delivered a sublime tee shot on the par-three 17th hole that helped Team Woods grab a share of the lead.

Watching in awe. 😲

11 birdies in a row for Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/iIP9S4UDOZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Tiger's competitive drive is legendary. During the biggest moments, the 15-time major champion was unflappable in his prime. The 45-year-old has apparently passed that killer instinct down to his son.

Charlie Woods hasn’t smiled in like an hour. Just hit a butter cut 4 iron to 4 feet and holed it from the back tees. Did not acknowledge any of the people yelling his name as he walked to the next tee. Tunnel vision. Apple, meet tree.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) December 19, 2021

Team Daly quickly responded with a birdie on No. 16 to retake first place.

Team Woods' birdie streak came to an end on the 18th hole, leaving them at 25 under. That meant the PNC Championship was the Dalys to lose. John and John II earned a par on No. 17 to maintain a one-shot lead as they approached the 18th tee box.

John could've sealed the victory with an eagle but sank his birdie putt to put the finishing touches on the win.

Since Charlie and Tiger Woods are likely to grab most the headlines coming out of the tournament, the work of Team Daly shouldn't go overlooked.

The 55-year-old Daly and his 18-year-old son carded a 12-under 60 on Saturday to sit one shot behind leaders Team Cink following the opening round. They opened Sunday by going eight under on the front nine.

Scorching front nine from Team Daly capped with a birdie! 2️⃣8️⃣ pic.twitter.com/PQyfFrUTdV

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 19, 2021

They then recorded five straight birdies after making the turn to the back nine.

Team Daly is on fire.

9 birdies and an eagle through 12 holes to lead. pic.twitter.com/tOGAkg2piv

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 19, 2021

John delivered a number of key shots in tense situations, yet the lasting image from the tournament might be him calmly watching the action unfold on the final hole and taking a quick smoke break.

Who looks better than Tiger and Charlie Woods to win this thing?

John Daly: Hold my cig… pic.twitter.com/DWCfQIWf4J

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 19, 2021

The tournament encapsulated why Daly has long remained a fan favorite.

With the PNC Championship completed, it will be time for the top stars in the field to take a bit of a break before the calendar shifts over to 2022.

The Sentry Tournament of Champions will be the first event of the new year on the PGA Tour when it tees off Jan. 6 at Kapalua in Hawaii.

Stewart and Reagan Cink set the pace in the first round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.

The Cinks finished at 13 under Saturday, one shot better than the teams of John Daly and John Daly II and Justin and Mike Thomas.

At one point, Stewart and Reagan reeled off seven straight birdies to catapult up the leaderboard.

That’s seven birdies in a row for Team Cink!

They lead -12 (15) @PNCchampionship. pic.twitter.com/oPHt43oZPv

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 18, 2021

Cink already has one victory under his belt from when he partnered with his other son, Connor, in a winning effort in 2013. The two were runners-up in 2016 and 2018 as well.

Now, Reagan is 18 holes away from celebrating the same triumph with his father. Working alongside his dad as a caddie is coming in handy this weekend.

Hook, line, and cink 'er.

The father-son duo of Reagan and @StewartCink finish the first round of the @PNCChampionship at -13. WATCH ON NBC AND PEACOCK. pic.twitter.com/rcV46JqMla

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 18, 2021

In general, all eyes have been on Tiger Woods in his first event back since his February car crash.

The 15-time major champion got his feet wet Friday during the PNC Championship's pro-am portion.

"It was an awesome day," he told reporters. "It was just awesome to be back out here playing, to be out here with my son. We had an absolute blast."

Tiger and his son, Charlie, face an uphill climb to lift the trophy. They're three shots back after combining to post a 10-under 62. Three straight birdies on the back nine put them within striking distance of Team Cink.

For three birdies in a row ...

Charlie drains it.

Team Woods is 9-under thru 15. pic.twitter.com/bv8jubMHRy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 18, 2021

Last year, viewers were taken aback when seeing Charlie perfectly mimic so many of Tiger's mannerisms. Charlie's reaction to a birdie putt was a familiar sight for those who have followed the sport for years.

This birdie was all Charlie! @TigerWoods' son's tee shot, putt, and walk in. Dad approves.

Watch on @PeacockTV. pic.twitter.com/LeJBE2NSdp

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 18, 2021

A 12, Charlie Woods wasn't the youngest golfer in the field. That distinction belonged to 11-year-old Karl Stenson, who teamed with dad Henrik.

Team Stenson is tied for fifth at 10 under. They started off well as Karl sank their eagle putt on No. 3.

Dad wanted a look at it! 👀@HenrikStenson's son Karl drains the eagle putt @PNCChampionship.

He's the youngest competitor in the field. pic.twitter.com/QhLmpPYAGF

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 18, 2021

On the seventh hole, it was once again Karl's time to carry his team.

11-year-old Karl is putting on a show in front of dad! pic.twitter.com/tcMScuGe40

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 18, 2021

With a birdie on No. 16, Justin and Mike Thomas had an opportunity to earn a share of the lead. A par on the 17th hole quickly ended that quest, but a birdie on the final hole put them in a tie for second.

Justin nearly aced the par-three fourth hole, and that may not have even been his most impressive tee shot on the day. The 2017 PGA Championship winner drove the green on No. 7 en route to a birdie.

Straight over the trees on a par 4? @JustinThomas34 said why not. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FpJsYzWulo

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 18, 2021

The stakes may not be all that high in Orlando, but the PNC Championship has undoubtedly offered a refreshing change of pace for golf fans.

Playing his first competitive round of golf in a year, Tiger Woods showed some glimpses of his old self at the 2021 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday.

Tiger teamed with his 12-year-old son, Charlie, in the first round of the tournament, which features major champions competing alongside family members in a scramble format.

Woods had not competed in a golf tournament since last year's PNC Championship, which marked the first time he and Charlie teamed up. Tiger underwent back surgery a few days after the 2020 PNC Championship and then suffered multiple injuries in a serious car crash in February.

There were questions regarding whether the 15-time major champion would ever golf again after the crash, making his return this weekend a huge moment in the sport.

While Tiger merely playing at all was a bigger deal than his overall performance, he and Charlie performed well and ended the day in a tie for fifth place with a score of 10-under.

The Woods family carded 10 birdies in the round and trail the leaders, Stewart and Reagan Cink, by three strokes entering the final round.

While all eyes were on Tiger, Charlie stole the show in many respects at last year's PNC Championship thanks to his strong play and Tiger-like mannerisms, and that was the case at times Saturday as well.

Tiger and Charlie were paired with Justin Thomas and his father, Mike, who won the tournament last year. Before the teams teed off, Justin and Tiger had a funny exchange regarding how much Tiger would be leaning on his son:

Justin Thomas to Tiger on the first tee:

“So you’re just gonna have Charlie carry you guys, huh?”

Tiger: “Yeah. I kinda feel bad for him.”

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) December 18, 2021

That was immediately followed by a great drive and approach from Charlie and a birdie make from Tiger on the first hole:

Charlie smokes a drive
Charlie nails the approach
Tiger sinks the putt

Team Woods with a birdie to start @PNCChampionship. pic.twitter.com/P9bTHKwsPX

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 18, 2021

Charlie was great off the tee throughout the round, leading to Thomas having some fun by examining his driver:

Charlie has the hot hand with the driver.

JT wanted to check out his driver. 👀 pic.twitter.com/8VWsAYYzMR

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 18, 2021

The younger Woods got the job done on the green as well, nailing a birdie putt on No. 4 and punctuating it with his dad's signature putter raise:

Fourth hole in and the putter raise comes out!

Charlie Woods is feeling it. pic.twitter.com/dykynVhfVQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 18, 2021

While Charlie did a lot of the heavy lifting Saturday with his dad still progressing in his recovery, Tiger raised some eyebrows at times as well.

Some of his most impressive work came off the tee, which was surprising since it was assumed his injuries would drain his power.

Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner noted that on the fifth hole, Tiger's ball speed was right where he would need it to be in a traditional round on the PGA Tour:

171-mph ball speed for Tiger on the 5th hole.

That’s exactly the Tour average — the same as world No. 2 Collin Morikawa.

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) December 18, 2021

Later, on No. 11, Tiger cranked an excellent drive with power and precision down the middle of the fairway:

🗣️ "Back on the tee is Tiger." 🐅@TigerWoods // @PNCchampionship

📺 Watch NOW on NBC and @peacockTV
💻 https://t.co/sIWK603weB pic.twitter.com/6zoMV5P41i

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 18, 2021

Alex Myers of Golf Digest marveled at the fact that Woods outdrove Thomas, who is the world's No. 6 player, on the hole:

Tiger Woods just out-drove Justin Thomas. I mean, how is that even possible?!

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) December 18, 2021

With both Tiger and Charlie playing well, they started to make a move up the leaderboard over the course of the back nine.

Charlie sunk a long birdie putt on No. 15, marking the third consecutive birdie for the father-son duo and getting them to nine-under:

For three birdies in a row ...

Charlie drains it.

Team Woods is 9-under thru 15. pic.twitter.com/bv8jubMHRy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 18, 2021

Tiger and Charlie parred the next two holes before closing out with a birdie on the par-five 18th, punctuating a strong day for the duo.

The PNC Championship is generally about fun and entertainment more than actual competition, and there is no question that Tiger and Charlie kept golf fans entertained Saturday.

At the same time, Tiger likely provided fans with hope that he will be able to compete again at a high level in the future.

While Tiger has made it clear that he will never be a full-time golfer again, the progress he has made so far in his recovery suggests he could potentially be in the mix at major tournaments in the future.

Tiger Woods is set to compete at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, but he still isn't healthy enough to play a tournament.

As Woods told reporters Friday, the ability to use carts in this weekend's 36-hole event makes a difference:

I couldn’t walk this golf course even right now, and it’s flat. I don’t have the endurance. My leg is not quite right yet and it’s going to take time. I told you in the Bahamas, I’m a long way from playing tournament golf. This is hit, hop in a cart and move about my business just like I would at Medalist. Being able to play tournament golf and being able to recover, practice and train and hit balls after a round and do all of the things that I need to be at a high level, I’m a long way away from that.

Each team playing at the upcoming tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, consists of a former major champion and a family member. Woods and his son finished in a tie for seventh place last December at the event.

In February, Woods was involved in a car crash that required significant surgeries to his right leg and ankle.

Even after months of rehab, he told Henni Koyack of Golf Digest that he will never be a full-time player on the PGA Tour again.

The 45-year-old is still working his way back to the course, competing in Friday's pro-am with mixed results, per ESPN's Bob Harig. It will clearly take more work to get him back to a tour event as he seeks a record 83rd career tournament title.

Justin Thomas and his father Mike will be paired with Tiger Woods and his son Charlie in the opening round of the PNC Championship on Saturday, and the elder Thomas couldn't help but marvel at Woods' rehab and how well he's playing since recovering from a rollover car accident in February. 

"It's crazy how good he's hitting it and how far he's hitting, for what he's been through," Mike Thomas said, per ESPN's Bob Harig. 

Saturday's event will be the first competitive golf competition for Woods since he suffered major injuries to his right leg and had a rod, pins and screws inserted into that leg. 

Woods has been warming up for this weekend's competition in the meantime:

😳 It’s just like a mirror#TigerWoods #Golfswing #golfonline

pic.twitter.com/ZcnipzzmSa

— GolfOnline (@GolfOnline) December 10, 2021

🐅@TigerWoods is back. pic.twitter.com/MzyclZOUl8

— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERS) December 15, 2021

Woods and his son tied for seventh at the same event last year. They also played the opening round with the Thomases. 

We can't wait to see more of this from @TigerWoods and Charlie this week at the PNC Championship. 💯pic.twitter.com/GxeZXxRGZi

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) December 15, 2021