Charlie Woods is a carbon copy of the father!

The Woods team. The image is strong and marks the imagination. For the first time, Tiger and his son will race together in a PGA Tour event starting Saturday in Orlando, Florida.

Charlie, 11, is a carbon copy of the father. We watch son, tall as three apples, strike the little ball with aplomb and we see the Tiger, 44, winner of 82 PGA tournaments and champion of 15 major titles.

From momentum to routine, gait, facial expressions and reactions, it’s Tiger Woods all spitting, in miniature version. The videos which circulated on the web Thursday, on the sidelines of the pro-am round of the PNC Championship, show beyond any doubt that the child of the famous golfer fell into the pot of the Woods magic potion.

Some, smirking, even claim that Charlie is more abrasive and biting than the fatherly on fairways and greens. The number three in the world, Justin Thomas, has testified to this.

“He likes to nibble at me and I always have to remember he’s only 11 years old. I also have to remember that I have to be careful of what I answer or what I say, ”exclaimed the 27-year-old golfer who has become a close friend of the Woods. This is the reason why Charlie adopted it for a few years.

“They are so similar. Who would not want to become like his father, especially when his name is Tiger Woods? he then asked. He undeniably has all his little manners. “

The little one constantly pulls his pipe, repeating that he can beat him. He even demanded to play the first round of the PNC Championship on Saturday with Thomas and his father Mike, a club professional who also took him under his wing. Obviously, this will be the perfect time to add some spice to the tournament with small competitions within the quartet.

Contest buff

Competitiveness runs through the veins of the younger Woods. He never stops. So much so, that at the age of just nine, when Thomas had just savored his first major conquest and climbed to the throne of the world rankings, Charlie challenged him with his father.

On the family home’s practice putting green in Florida, they held a nine-hole putting competition. No privilege, no mercy. After the eighth, the little fellow led by a blow … The lips as inflamed as his putter!

“Before the ninth flag, Charlie was tearing us down. He was throwing all kinds of things at us. He said among other things that at only nine years old, he was in the process of beating the best player in the world and the alleged best golfer in history, said Thomas, still amused. You know what I mean.”

“Well, fate has struck, he hastened to continue. He putt three times and I won. I nailed his beak very quickly. “

Protection

To come back to this entry on the scene at the family event disputed as a duo, we must not forget that Charlie is still very young. Even if he racked up several victories on the Florida junior circuit last summer, he should not be placed in the footsteps of the father. We have to admit that he already has the necessary qualities, the manual and the perfect example to become a prodigy.

“It doesn’t matter what Charlie decides to do later, or what sport he chooses, whether it’s golf or not, he has to do what he pleases,” Woods recalled.

The Tiger has always been discreet in protecting his children. Rarely have Sam and Charlie been seen in the limelight. But this strong photo of the son who embraces his dad again champion of the Masters Tournament in April 2019 has been around the world. It was his first marked appearance.

Asked about the qualities of his son Thursday, Tiger did not go into details at all. He especially wants to see him have fun and enjoy the moment. There is no question of score, title or trophy. Rather, it is a golden opportunity to create lasting father-son memories on the Ritz-Carlton course. A dear moment.

“It’s so nice to see him having fun in this sport. This is the objective. He has to savor the moment, Woods repeated over and over again. I love to see him feel, create and hit his punches. He hits the ball solidly. “

While he may be the go-to coach to guide his son, Tiger lets him discover his skills instead. Like his father Earl did, he works that little touch of magic unique to the Woods.

This weekend, fans will be immersed in a real return to the future.