Birdies were plentiful in the first round of the 2022 PNC Championship as teams rolled out of the gates of the Ritz Carlton Golf Club. Above the rest, one couple had their fair share of success in this event: 2020 champions Justin Thomas and his father, Mike. The two-time PGA Championship winner and PGA professional of 40 years was exquisite around the par 72 on Saturday signing for a 15-under 57 to hold a two-stroke lead over Team Singh and Team Woods at 13 under.
Playing in the two-man scramble format, Team Thomas were featured in the final duo of the day alongside Tiger and Charlie Woods. The two close families battled it out for most of the day before an eagle from Justin’s putter on the par-5 14th sent Team Thomas into a head share with Team Singh, who was already in the clubhouse.
Extra birdies on two of their final four holes gave Team Thomas a significant advantage heading into tomorrow’s final round. Carding 11 birds, two eagles and just five pars, Justin and Mike are in prime position to claim their second PNC Championship title in the last three years.
The leader
1.Team Thomas (-15)
Justin looked great last month, finishing the Hero World Challenge on a high and dominating in The Match 7. He continued that quality play on Saturday, and with some timely help from his dad, the two were able to reach 15 sub – good for second lowest round in tournament history. Hitting off-speed corners, booming drives and precise putts, the two will be a tough duo to chase on Sunday.
“We’re here just to have fun and play golf,” Thomas said. “The course is obviously very straight in front of you, big fairways, big greens and I really, really like to put when I can see a putt in front of me and that helps a bit. Poor dad is unfortunately the guinea pig on every single hole, but sometimes when I give it a good read, it sinks it.”
Other suitors
T2. Team Singh, Team Woods (-13)
4. Langer Team (-12)
T5. Team Daly, Team Spieth, Team Cink, Team Leonard, Team O’Meara, Team Lehman (-11)
Team Woods entered the week on the minds of most and showed courage and common sense on Saturday. With Tiger playing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot and Charlie struggling with a lingering injury in his left ankle, despite not feeling 100 per cent, they remained within easy reach of Team Thomas. Almost chased down the Daly team in the final round last year, and at one point carding 11 consecutive birds on that fateful day, something similar will have to be in store if they are to catch their good friends to play with alongside for the second consecutive day.
“It’s what I see all the time at home, I’m used to it,” Tiger said of Charlie’s game. “Unfortunately, that’s not the game plan we originally planned. His ankle isn’t exactly feeling the best, so I had to hit a few more shots than I normally would. Obviously, It was a great day. We got a little hot out there at the start and in the middle of the run, I didn’t take advantage of that towards the end, but we’re in a great position for tomorrow.”
So what did Tiger and Charlie look like?
Dating back to last year, the two have now signed for back-to-back under-60 rounds in this format. At the very start of the day, it didn’t look like it would end up going as well as Team Woods found themselves just 1 under the first three holes. Launched by a clever corner from Charlie, Tiger then took the wheel when he discovered magic both on and around the green.
Highlighted by a chip-in eagle on the par-5 5th, Team Woods caught fire on their way to the inside half as they played holes nos. 4 to 11 in a 9-under mode. Some hairy situations arose as Tiger was called on one too many times to drill clutch putts in the latter stages of their turn. And while just three birdies over the last seven holes will leave both itching for more, they remain at the heart of this championship and just two shots behind Team Thomas.
Spieth Magic Runs in the Family
When you think of law-setting golf shots, Jordan Spieth immediately comes to mind, but it was clear on Saturday that he’s not the only member of the Spieth family with the magic touch. Playing alongside his dad, Shawn, Team Spieth shot 11-under 61 thanks in part to the pair’s jaw-dropping moments around the green.
Youngest contestant in event history steals the show
Playing alongside his mother, Annika Sorenstam, 11-year-old Will McGee stole the show on Saturday. Walking in putts and hitting tricky corners, McGee quickly became a fan favorite for those who came to see the action and helped his Hall of Fame mother en route to a 10-under 62.
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