Did Bernhard Langer play shorter tees than Charlie Woods at the PNC Championship? Controversy explored

On Sunday, December 22, Bernhard Langer became the winningest player at the PNC Championship after securing his sixth title. However, many golf fans raised concerns about the German veteran using shorter tee boxes than even an amateur like Charlie Woods.

Langer and his son Jason shot 15-under 57 on Day 2 at Ritz Carlton Golf Club, forcing a playoff against Tiger Woods and Charlie. In the playoff, the reigning champions defended their title by eagling the hole, while Team Woods had to settle for a runner-up finish after a birdie.

Following Team Langer’s victory, many critics took to social media to point out some discrepancies in the contest. One of the complaints was that Langer was using shorter tee boxes. Journalist Dan Rapaport also highlighted this on X.

"Bernhard Langer playing shorter tees than Charlie Woods," he wrote. "Bernhard Langer won the season finale tournament on the Champions Tour a month ago."

However, what Langer did was well within the rules of the PNC Championship and did not constitute cheating. The 67-year-old golfer used the red tees, set at 6,035 yards, for professionals aged 66-72, as set by the tournament officials.

Meanwhile, 15-year-old amateur Charlie Woods used the white tees, set at 6,576 yards, which were assigned to professionals aged 54-65, LPGA professionals, and family members aged 14-55.

Further, there were two other divisions of tees, and many golfers started from shorter tees than Langer. Tiger Woods and seven other PGA Tour pros aged 53 or younger started from the Gold Course, which was set at 7,106 yards.

Meanwhile, seasoned veterans aged 73 and older, like Gary Player (age 88) and Lee Trevino (age 84), started from the Blue Course, which was just 5,484 yards.

The hole distance difference between Bernhard Langer and Charlie Woods tees at the PNC Championship explored

Here's a look at the distance of each hole for Red Course where Bernhard Langer teed off:

Hole 1: par-4, 330-yards
Hole 2: par-4, 335-yards
Hole 3: par-5, 465-yards
Hole 4: par-3, 139-yards
Hole 5: par-5, 509-yards
Hole 6: par-4, 367-yards
Hole 7: par-4, 320-yards
Hole 8: par-4, 167-yards
Hole 9: par-4, 371-yards
Hole 10: par-4, 336-yards
Hole 11: par-4, 350-yards
Hole 12: par-3, 145-yards
Hole 13: par-4, 317-yards
Hole 14: par-5, 470-yards
Hole 15: par-4, 423-yards
Hole 16: par-4, 345-yards
Hole 17: par-3, 172-yards
Hole 18: par-5, 475-yards

Here's a look at the Blue Course, where Charlie Woods teed off:

Hole 1: par-4, 387-yards
Hole 2: par-4, 345-yards
Hole 3: par-5, 510-yards
Hole 4: par-3, 166-yards
Hole 5: par-5, 536-yards
Hole 6: par-4, 398-yards
Hole 7: par-4, 349-yards
Hole 8: par-4, 180-yards
Hole 9: par-4, 387-yards
Hole 10: par-4, 361-yards
Hole 11: par-4, 380-yards
Hole 12: par-3, 173-yards
Hole 13: par-4, 327-yards
Hole 14: par-5, 544-yards
Hole 15: par-4, 434-yards
Hole 16: par-4, 387-yards
Hole 17: par-3, 185-yards
Hole 18: par-5, 527-yards