While usually legendary golfer Tiger Woods has a veteran caddie at his bag during tournaments, he has made a special exception for the PNC Championship this year. Embracing the family spirit of the tournament, his daughter Sam will be caddying for Woods at Ritz-Carlton this weekend.
Sam holding the 48-year-old's bag and walking into the greens wearing a caddy bib this week was a surprising sight for the fans. Woods had worked with Lance Bennet for the 2024 Masters after his long-time caddy Joe La Cava joined fellow US golfer Patrick Cantlay full-time in May last year.
The ace golfer himself has been out of a majority of events this year, owing to his back surgery. However, he seems to be doing well as he has not been using carts to travel between holes. The 15-time Major champion has teamed up with son Charlie for the PNC Championship. The duo is a regular fixture at the exhibition match.
Now, with Sam on his bag, it is truly a Woods family affair in Orlando, Florida.
Team Woods is currently leading the standings along with Team Duval and Team Singh with a score of 13-under.
When Tiger Woods spoke about Sam having a "negative connotation to the game"
Sam is Tiger Woods' first child. He and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren co-parent her and Charlie. Although the latter has taken an affiliation to golf, Sam has always stayed away from competing in the sport. However, she has often been spotted cheering for her father and brother from the stands.
At the PNC Championship this year, Sam will be making her debut as Woods' caddie. However, according to her father, she has a "negative connotation" about the sport. He told The Today Show:
"She has, I think, a negative connotation to the game because at that time, when she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her." (via Golf Monthly)
Tiger Woods recently spoke about how special it would be to have both of his kids with him during the PNC Championship.
"For me to have both my kids inside the ropes like this and participating and playing and being part of the game of golf like this, it couldn't have been more special for me, and I know that we do this a lot at home, needle each other and have a great time. But it was more special to do it in a tournament like this," he said.
Team Woods will tee off with Team Langer at the very end on Saturday.