Tiger Woods had extra reason to savour his eighth WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title on Sunday with his young son Charlie there to see him win for the first time.
Woods walked hand-in-hand with the four-year-old from the players car park to the Firestone clubhouse when he arrived for Sunday’s final round.
And Charlie was there when Woods walked off some hours later a seven-shot winner.
Woods said his six-year-old daughter, Sam, had been old enough to understand his profession for a while, but for Charlie “it was the first win he’s ever been at.”
“That’s what makes it special for both of us,” Woods said.
“Sam was there when I won the US Open in ’08, and she loves to look at the YouTube videos and look back to Daddy.”
But “Charlie’s never had that, never felt what it’s like to be with the trophy.”
Woods said his children always ask “‘Daddy, when are you going to win the tournament?'”
“So this week was nice to be able to get the lead and I held it, and it was awfully special for me to have (Charlie) here to witness it because he understands it now,” he said.
“He understands when I make a birdie, when I make par, and he understands the difference,” Woods added.
As Woods now heads to this Week’s US PGA Championship a red hot favourite to finally end a five-year major title drought, the world No.1 said he won’t push his son into the game.
“Charlie likes playing golfer, he likes going out there and giving it a hit,” Woods said.
“It’s like what my dad did and that’s keep it fun. Go out there, no lessons, and just have fun.”
But Woods said he wouldn’t put any pressure on his son.
“Yes, it would be cool but I am not going to be pushing him and if he wants to do it, so be it,” he said. “If he wants to go and play another sport then that would be great, too.”
While Charlie is already emulating his father, Woods was asked if the youngster might model himself on some of the US tour’s younger talents, such as the often flamboyantly attired Rickie Fowler.
Woods laughed and said: “My kid is not going to wear a flat bill (cap).”