2022 PNC Championship leaderboard: Tiger and Charlie Woods on the hunt as Team Thomas advances after first round

Birds were plentiful in the first round of the 2022 PNC Championship as teams flew out of the gates at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. The pair rose above the rest to have had their fair share of success in the event: 2020 champ Justin Thomas and his father, Mike. The two-time PGA Championship winner and 40-year PGA Professional had an impressive 72-under Saturday signing a 15-under 57 to maintain a one-stroke lead over Team Singh and Team Woods at 13-under.

Played in a two-man scramble format, Thomas’ team featured in the final pairing of the day alongside Tiger and Charlie Woods. The two close families battled back and forth for the majority of the day before an eagle off Justin’s 14th-ranked bat propelled Team Thomas into a share of the lead with Team Singh, who was already on the club.

Extra birdies on two of the final four holes gave Thomas’ team a meaningful advantage heading into tomorrow’s final round. Possessing 11 birds, two eagles and only five pars, Justin and Mike are in excellent position to win their second PNC title in the past three years.

Leader

1. Tim Thomas (-15)

Justin looked great last month, finishing the world champion challenge on a high note and dominating Match 7. He continued that good play on Saturday, and with some timely help from his dad, the two made it to 15-under. Good for the second-lowest round in tournament history. Hitting off-pace pegs, congested drives, and accurate shots, the duo will be tough to chase on Sunday.

“We’re here just to have fun and play golf,” said Thomas. “Obviously the course is right in front of you, big fairways, big greens and I really, really enjoy the situation when I can see the batting in front of me and it helps a lot. Poor daddy is unfortunately a guinea pig in every one hole, but sometimes when I give him a good read he knocks it out.” “.

The other contenders

T2. Tim Singh, Team Woods (-13)

4 – Team Langer (-12)

T5. Tim Daly, Tim Spieth, Tim Sink, Tim Leonard, Team O’Meara, Team Lehman (-11)

Team Woods came into the week on most people’s minds, showing bravery and courage on Saturday. With Tiger playing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot and Charlie dealing with an injured left ankle, despite not feeling 100%, they remained handy for Thomas’ team. Almost chasing down Daly’s team in the final round last year, and at one point being awarded with 11 consecutive birdies on that fateful day, there has to be something similar in store if they are to catch up with the good friends they’ll be playing alongside for the second day in a row.

“It’s what I see at home all the time, I’m used to it,” said Tiger of Toy Charlie. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t the game plan we had originally planned. His ankle wasn’t quite feeling his best so I had to do a couple more drives than I normally would. It was obviously a great day. We got a little bit The heater is there at the beginning of the middle part of the Tour, we didn’t take advantage of it towards the end, but we’re in great shape for tomorrow.”

So what did Tiger and Charlie look like?

Dating back to last year, the two have now signed for consecutive sub 60 tours in this format. At the start of the day it didn’t look like it was going to be as good as it did at the end as Team Woods found themselves under number one just through the first three holes. Tiger started with a nice wedge from Charlie, then took the lead when he caught some magic on and around the green.

Highlighted by an eagle on the par 5, Team Woods caught fire heading into the inside half as they played holes 4-11 in a 9-under style. Some hairy situations arose when Tiger was called to puncture paw locks one too many times in the latter stages of the round. And although just three birdies over the final seven holes will leave two more itches, they remain in the thick of this tournament and only two strokes behind Thomas’ team.

Spith Magic runs in the family

When you think of golf shots that define the law, Jordan Spieth immediately comes to mind, but it was clear on Saturday that he’s not the only member of the Spieth family with a magical touch. Playing alongside his father, Sean, Spieth launched the 11-U-61 team, thanks in part to a few amazing moments around the green from the pair.

The youngest competitor in juvenile history steals the show

Playing alongside his mother, Annika Sorenstam, 11-year-old Will McGee stole the show on Saturday. Walking in and hitting accurate shots, McGee quickly became a fan favorite for those who came out to watch the action and helped his mother into the Hall of Fame on his way to 10 under 62.