Dressed in Sunday Red a day early and with an adult beverage in hard, Chris Martini let out his own Tiger Roar.
As Tiger Woods headed toward the 18th green at Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Martini shouted what many spectators surely and silently hoped.
“It’s not over yet,” Martini, 25, bellowed. “We got Augusta in April.”
What lies ahead for Woods, with the Masters just four months away, will be determined by his iffy health, insatiable hunger and even the golf gods.
Saturday’s opening round of the 36-hole PNC Championship was about the future in a different way, perhaps in a more meaningful one these days for Woods.
Woods played alongside 15-year-old son Charlie and with 17-year-old daughter Sam as his caddie. The living legend wasn’t looking to turn back the clock and stave off Father Time, even though father — and son — are tied for the lead with former PNC winners Bernhard Langer and son Jason and Vijay Singh and son Qass at 13-under par playing a scramble format.
Woods, who turns 49 Dec. 30, returned to the event despite undergoing his seventh back surgery in September, pushing himself so he could enjoy the game he loves with those he loves even more.
“I’m very rusty and, as I said, it’s a scramble, and so we’re just trying to have fun out there,” Woods said.
Winning with his son while beating fellow Hall of Famers Langer, a five-time winner and defending champion, and Singh, the 2022 champion, would be cause for celebration. It would also deliver a jolt of excitement for a sold-out crowd at the popular holiday event.
“We’re right there,” Woods said. “There’s a bunch of teams that are up there. We’re going to have to shoot another good round tomorrow.”
Tiger and Charlie have been well positioned before.
In 2022, the duo also opened with 59, 2 shots out of the lead, but carded a final-day 65. In 2021, the Woods team rallied with 11 straight birdies and shot 57 but ran out of holes to lose by 2 to John Daly and John II.
Charlie Woods has developed his game significantly since then, and has developed his own following.
“I’m excited to see Charlie,” Andrew Watson, 25, said as he arrived the course. “I’m excited to see the next generation. People are a little too hard on sons of the greats.”
“I’m just excited to see him play his game, hit some shots, get some over his dad and have a good time.”
Able to drive the ball a tee box ahead, the younger Woods consistently outdrove his dad.
“You’re keeping up with me,” he joked with his famous father, a 15-time major champion.
Tiger Woods showed some pop for someone 13 weeks removed from back surgery.
“I get the downwind, I’m OK,” he quipped. “These are big fairways and I can let it go a little bit from time to time.”
Woods will have to perform at a much higher level consistently to have a chance to add a record 83rd PGA Tour win to break his tie with Sam Snead.
“Tiger’s got many more wins, 100 percent — more majors, more tournament wins,” Machel Hosang said. “We’re talking about the greatest putter of all time. To me, the greatest ball striker of all time.
“Any given Sunday.”
Hosang, 46, said he has been a diehard fan and true believer in Woods ever since he watched him hold off Phil Mickelson in 2005 during their famous Duel at Doral.
Hosang’s son, Landon Tiger, walked 18 with his father. Back home in Port St. Lucie, their Boston Terrier (Eldrick, Woods’ first name) was wondering when his master would return.
Whether Tiger Woods ever will truly return is a question asked through the golf world every time he swings a club.
Six-time major champion Nick Faldo, who played with son Matthew, said it becomes a bigger ask every time, following every injury or surgery.
“Even if he was fit and healthy at 49, it’s a haul,” said Faldo, 67. “You got to be out there playing. These guys are playing competitive golf literally every day, and as you get older … We all know he’s special, but boy!
“You got to give credit that he just keeps believing it’s possible.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.
