The PNC Championship delivered an enthralling finish on Sunday as Tiger Woods and his son Charlie looked to secure their first ever win in a play-off up against the defending champions in Bernhard Langer and his son Jason.
Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods were denied on the first play-off hole, as Bernhard Langer holed a long eagle putt to secure his sixth victory in the PNC Championship – and his fourth alongside Jason.
Unsurprisingly, Team Woods seemed to be the fan favourites in Orlando. Charlie had previously sent the crowd into a frenzy with his first ever hole in one on the fourth hole. And they had had a birdie putt to take the lead on the 17th hole.
Unfortunately for Team Woods’ supporters, the 47-time winner on PGA Tour Champions was not to miss two eagle chances in a row – after missing out in regulation. However, the manner of the play-off victory did not sit right with everyone.
Golf fans hit out as Bernhard Langer benefits from ‘insane’ rule at the PNC Championship
Understandably, the PNC Championship sees a number of tee boxes being used. Nelly Korda was the youngest tour player in the field at 26, while Gary Player will have had his 90th birthday by the time the event comes around again.
But some were baffled to see the difference between the tee boxes used by Tiger Woods and Bernhard Langer, particularly on the 18th hole. While Woods was playing furthest back, Langer – as he is over the age of 65 – was around 80 yards further forward. He also got to tee off in front of both Charlie Woods and Jason Langer. And he made the most of the advantage, sending two outstanding drives down the 18th on Sunday.
One fan wrote: “No hate towards Langer… But it’s actually insane that a current professional golfer and Champions Tour winner is playing tees in front of the amateurs. Rules are rules, but c’mon man!”
Meanwhile, another viewer claimed: “It’s embarrassing the advantage Langer has on that 18th hole. I’m not against the idea of different tees but 80 yards is a joke on one hole.” Elsewhere, Dan Rapaport simply pointed out just how impressive the German remains on the senior tour in response to the controversy.
One fan suggested: “Bernhard Langer should never be off tees further forward than a 15 year old. Terrible decision to allow that”.
It was also suggested that a different play-off hole could have thrown up a different result, with a viewer writing: “Can the playoff go to a hole that Langer doesn’t have an 80 yard advantage off the tee on?”
Certainly, plenty were baffled that the elder Langer was teeing off further up than the youngest members of the group, with one saying: “Absolutely insane that Bernhard Langer gets to tee off about 50 yards ahead of Charlie Woods”.
Meanwhile, it was pointed out that Langer still hits it a long way on the senior tour, averaging more than 275 yards off the tee.
But there was some support for the decision, with one fan responding to the criticism by writing: “Ugh! Langer is 67 years old. He works hard EVERY day to hit it 275. He has earned the right to play from the 65+ year old tees. The Langers beat the Woods team fair & square. You’ll find a way to deal with it!”
How Bernhard Langer’s driving compares with the average PGA Tour player amid PNC Championship controversy
Langer is ever so slightly below tour average on PGA Tour Champions when it comes to driving distance. The two-time Masters champion was down in 50th for distance off the tee, at 275.5 yards.
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour average distance off the tee in 2024 was 300.2 yards. And the lowest average on the tour was 279.8 yards. Therefore, Langer is theoretically only four yards off the shortest hitter on the PGA Tour, even at the age of 67.
There is definitely something which needs to be looked at. But it is also important that Langer is not penalised for his brilliance at his age. Ultimately, it would be different if Langer had had no success in the event until he was able to move forward a tee box at the age of 65.
However, no-one has won the event more often. So it is certainly a difficult task trying to put everyone on the correct tees throughout the week.
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