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Tiger Woods returns with son Charlie at PNC Championship: Field, format, schedule and how to watch

What can we expect from Tiger Woods' latest comeback? How will Charlie Woods perform? Field, format, schedule and all you need to know about the PNC Championship, live on Saturday from 6pm on Sky Sports Golf

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The best of the action from day two of the 2023 PNC Championship from the Ritz-Carlton golf club in Orlando, Florida

Tiger Woods is back in action this week at the PNC Championship, partnering his son Charlie in the two-day team contest. Here's all you need to know about the 15-time major champion's latest comeback appearance...

What is the event?

The PNC Championship is an annual 36-hole team competition held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Florida, where 20 professionals tee it up alongside a family member in a unique format.

Only former winners of a major or The Players are eligible to enter a team, with their chosen playing partner - traditionally a son or daughter but occasionally a different relative - unable to hold any playing status on a professional tour.

Tiger Woods putts as his son, Charlie watches on the 13th hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament Monday, June 10, 2024, in Pinehurst, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Image: Team Woods headlines the PNC Championship, which begins on Saturday

How does the tournament work?

The 36-hole employs a scramble format for both rounds, where the two players in each team hit their tee shots and then continue playing from the best position.

Each player then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected drive lies and the best shot is selected, with that process repeated until the hole is completed and the lowest score counting.

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Tiger Woods talked about playing alongside his son Charlie during the 2023 PNC Championship

Why is Tiger playing in it?

It has become an annual tradition for Woods to tee it up in the team event, which he has previously described as his "fifth major", having partnered his son in every edition since making his debut in the 2020 contest.

The tournament allows players to use golf carts, which is beneficial to Woods and his injury-plagued body, with the opportunity to tee it up alongside his son in a tournament something he relishes every year.

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Todd Lewis from the Golf Channel assesses whether Tiger Woods will continue to appear at major championships after missing another cut at the Open Championship

He said "we'll see" when asked during the Hero World Challenge whether he would feature in the PNC Championship, having not been listed on the official line-up, with Team Woods one of the last pairs added to the field.

Where has Woods played this year?

Woods sat out of the Hero World Challenge earlier this month, saying he "wasn't tournament sharp" to compete in an event he hosts, but the 48-year-old is now teeing it up for the first time since The Open in July.

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Tiger Woods admitted he was 'not sharp enough' to compete at the level required to feature at the Hero World Challenge

The former world No 1 withdrew mid-tournament through illness at the Genesis Invitational in February and finished last of those who made the cut at The Masters, then suffered an early exit in each of the next three majors.

Woods underwent surgery in September to alleviate "back spasms and pain" that hampered his limited playing schedule, having only made 11 competitive starts since his career-threatening car crash in February 2021.

How has Team Woods performed before?

Woods and his son - then aged 11 - finished seventh on debut in 2020 as Justin Thomas and his father Mike claimed victory, then were runner-up to John Daly and his son - also called John - a year later.

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Tiger Woods and his son Charlie made 11 consecutive birdies during the final round of the 2021 PNC Championship

They registered their lowest finish in the 2022 contest, ending tied-eighth as Vijay Singh and his son Qass ran out winners, before last year saw Team Woods share fifth place and end six strokes behind Bernhard Langer.

What can we expect from Tiger?

The fact that Woods was not physically ready to compete in a 20-player event in the Bahamas is an indication of where his body and game is at, having previously used the Hero World Challenge as a tune-up event for injury comebacks.

He told reporters ahead of that tournament he felt stronger and more pliable since undergoing his latest surgery, with Woods focused on avoiding any further setbacks and trying to be competitively ready for next season.

The format plays into Woods' strengths, with the back-up of using Charlie's shots if things don't go as planned, while warm winter sunshine in Florida takes less of a physical toll on his body.

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Charlie Woods helped dad Tiger on the range ahead of the final round of The Masters at Augusta National

And how good is Charlie?

Woods Jnr, now 15, has impressed during his past PNC Championship appearances and has also shown signs of progress - with his dad watching on - over the past couple of years.

He failed to progress into a PGA Tour qualifying event for the Cognizant Classic earlier this year but followed in his father's footsteps by securing a spot in the US Junior Amateur over the summer, where he missed the cut.

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Tiger Woods' 15-year-old son Charlie competed in his first PGA Tour qualifying event in the Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches

The mannerisms shown on the course between the two are clear to see, along with the talent, but there's still some time to wait before we'll know whether he will be good enough - or want to - pursue a professional career.

Who else is playing?

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington partners son Paddy and Lee Trevino teams up with son Daniel, while former Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker partners his daughter Izzi.

Live PGA Tour Golf

Saturday 21st December 4:00pm

Masters champions Fred Couples and Trevor Immelman make their debuts, golfing legend Gary Player will make his eighth appearance and Sir Nick Faldo also returns, with women's world No 1 Nelly Korda and legend Annika Sorenstam also in the field.

There are five past champions in the field, including each of the previous four winners, with the 20 professionals involved winning 69 majors, 40 senior major titles and more than 1,000 international titles between them.

How can I watch live on Sky Sports?

There will be five hours of live coverage from both rounds of the two-day event, with the action live on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm on Saturday and 4.30pm for Sunday's final round.

The tournament is one of two live on Sky Sports this week, with all four rounds of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open - the final DP World Tour event of 2024 - live on Sky Sports. Coverage begins at 8.30am on Thursday and Friday, 9am on Saturday and 6am on Sunday.

Can Team Woods claim their first victory at the PNC Championship? Watch live this weekend on Sky Sports Golf! Coverage begins on Saturday at 6pm. Stream the PGA Tour and more with NOW.