Charlie Woods, the 14-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, made headlines this weekend with an impressive victory at the regional qualifier for the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championships. Playing alongside his father, who served as his caddie, Charlie shot a career-low 66 to win his age group and secure a spot in the championship finale. With rivals closing in, Charlie displayed the same calmness under pressure that his father was known for, finishing with back-to-back birdies to win by a single stroke.
In an interview with tournament organizers, Charlie expressed his approach to the game, saying, “It’s hard to think, ‘You’re tied for the lead, you have to go shoot a low round to win this thing.’ So just take it one shot at a time, don’t think too far ahead. Just gotta keep eating.” He also acknowledged the benefit of having his father as his caddie, stating that Tiger puts him in his place and helps him stay focused on the present shot.
This is not the first time that the father-son duo has teamed up on the golf course. Last year, Tiger served as Charlie’s caddie at the regional qualifier, where Charlie finished tied-fourth with a career-best round of 68. They also played together at the PNC Championship in December, wearing matching outfits and finishing tied-eighth in a field of champions and their relatives.
However, Tiger’s appearances on the golf course have been limited since his car accident in February 2021, which resulted in significant injuries. He competed at The Masters but withdrew early, and then missed the subsequent three majors of 2023. In April, he underwent ankle surgery, further reducing his playing time and diminishing his chances of making the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
While Tiger remains supportive of the team, American captain Zach Johnson confirmed that he would not be traveling to the Ryder Cup in Rome to support the team in person. Johnson emphasized that Tiger has a lot on his plate and that it would not be fair to ask him questions about the tournament without him being directly involved with the team.
Despite his limited competitive appearances, Tiger’s knowledge, wisdom, candor, and passion will be utilized by the team. Although he may not physically be present at the tournament, his insights and support will still play a significant role in the team’s preparations and performance.
Charlie’s recent victory highlights the promising talent that runs in the Woods family. As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, golf fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his journey and accomplishments.