Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, is making headlines with his strong performance at the Junior PGA Championship. With one final round to go, he’s now tied for second place and has a real shot at earning a place on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team.
A Big Day Ahead for Charlie
Friday marks a major moment in Charlie’s golf journey. After shooting a 6-under 66 for the second day in a row on Thursday, he now sits at 12-under par (202 total). That puts him in great position to win — or at least secure one of the top two spots that guarantee a spot on the Junior Ryder Cup team.
Charlie will tee off at 10:06 a.m. at the Ackerman-Allen Course in West Lafayette, Indiana. He’ll be paired with tournament leader Lunden Esterline, who sits at 19-under, and fellow contender Pennson Badgett, also at 12-under.
A Round That Kept Everyone on Edge
Charlie admitted that Thursday’s round was a bit of a roller coaster. Speaking to the Lafayette Journal & Courier, he said,
“My round was pretty up and down and it gave me a heart attack out there. But nine birdies is pretty good… a couple of three putts, I made a few mistakes, but overall pretty solid round. Pretty good position going into tomorrow.”
Despite the pressure and a two-hour weather delay, Charlie remained focused. Just like his father, he responded by birdieing the first hole and kept the momentum going. He wrapped up the day with another birdie, thanks to a beautiful approach shot that landed just five feet from the cup.
Charlie’s Growing Golf Career
A native of Palm Beach, Florida, Charlie Woods has already shown impressive progress in his young career. In May, he won the AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational, one of the top junior golf events.
In December 2023, Charlie made his first hole-in-one while playing alongside Tiger Woods at the PNC Championship. The father-son duo finished second in that event after losing in a playoff to Bernard and Jason Langer.
More recently, Charlie qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur, although he missed the cut. Still, his progress has been steady and promising.
What’s Next?
As he heads into the final round of the Junior PGA Championship, all eyes are on Charlie Woods. A win or runner-up finish would earn him a spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, a major step in any young golfer’s career.
Charlie, who is entering his junior year of high school, is currently ranked 20th in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings. With his calm mindset, solid game, and Tiger-like focus, the younger Woods continues to build a name for himself in the world of golf.
Charlie Woods is proving that he’s more than just Tiger Woods’ son. With each tournament, he’s building his own path in the world of golf. Whether or not he wins the Junior PGA Championship, his performance shows that he’s a serious talent with a bright future.
A spot on the Junior Ryder Cup team would be a big achievement — and it may just be within his reach.
