Three years after their last attempt, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie Woods came agonizingly close to securing the trophy at the 2024 PNC Championship. Their defeat in this tournament was one of the toughest they had faced, especially considering the dramatic circumstances of the 36-hole scramble tournament finale. Bernhard Langer and his son Jason Langer scored a remarkable 15-under 57, tying them with Team Woods, who had been leading. This deadlock led to a tense playoff on Sunday to determine the winner.
As the playoff unfolded on the final hole, Bernhard Langer took advantage of a forward tee placement. Both the Langers and Team Woods managed to reach the green, setting up eagle putts of similar lengths. Ultimately, the Langers seized their opportunity, sinking their putt to claim the victory. However, the win did not come without controversy, as many golf enthusiasts questioned the fairness of Langer’s actions during the tournament.
A video of Team Langer’s winning moment quickly went viral, prompting widespread criticism. Allegations of cheating surfaced after Paolo Uggetti, a prominent voice in the golf world, posted a picture on social media showing a zoomed-in view of Langer’s ball placement. He remarked, “I know it’s scramble rules, but we need to have a conversation about Langer literally teeing up his ball in the bunker so he could hit driver! The zoom-in camera did him no favors.” This statement ignited heated debates among fans and experts alike.
I know it’s scramble rules but we need to have conversation about Langer literally teeing up his ball in the bunker so he could hit driver! The zoom in camera did him no favors pic.twitter.com/ftV38bGhDE
— Paolo Uggetti (@PaoloUggetti) December 22, 2024
The golf community largely seemed to side with Uggetti’s sentiments, accusing Langer of bending the rules. Some commenters harshly labeled Langer a “cheater,” referencing his controversial history with rules interpretations. Others pointed out his long-standing reputation for pushing the boundaries, particularly with his putting technique. One user quipped, “He’s always been on the edge kinda guy. I still don’t like how close he ‘doesn’t’ anchor his putter.” Another added, “Did he build a tee out of rock sand?” These sentiments reflected a growing discontent with Langer’s approach to the game.
This controversy also drew comparisons to past incidents involving Langer. One such example occurred during the Ryder Cup when Langer’s ball was near a water hazard, leading to a dispute about whether he had grounded his club in violation of the rules. Although no penalties were imposed at the time, the debate left a lasting impression, with many recalling it as another instance where Langer operated in a gray area of the rules.
In defense of Langer, some fans pointed to other controversial moments in golf history, such as Stewart Cink’s ruling at the 2004 Verizon Heritage (now RBC Heritage). During that event, Cink was granted a free drop for his ball, which had come to rest in a sandy area near a cart path. Critics accused Cink of receiving preferential treatment, but supporters argued that his actions were within the rules. Similarly, some believed that Langer’s win at the PNC Championship fell within the permissible boundaries of the game, despite the uproar.
The controversy surrounding Langer’s playoff shot at the Ritz Carlton remains a hot topic of debate. Many fans continue to question whether his victory was legitimate or if it was tainted by rule-bending tactics. Regardless of the differing opinions, the incident has sparked conversations about fairness and integrity in the sport, leaving a cloud of controversy over the 2024 PNC Championship.