Charlie Woods qualifies for U.S. Junior Amateur

Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, qualified Wednesday for the U.S. Junior Amateur championship. He posted a 1-under 71, finishing first at a qualifying event at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla. Charlie was one of four golfers to secure a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur.

“It feels amazing to qualify for my first USGA championship,” Charlie said after his round. “I’m excited to compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur next month, especially somewhere as historic as Oakland Hills.”

Charlie, who played the back nine first, started his round with a bogey followed by a double bogey. He responded with three birdies in four holes from No. 13 through No. 16, ending his front nine at an even-par 36.

On the back nine, Charlie recorded two birdies to just one bogey, shooting 35 to finish the day at 1-under-par. Tiger was in attendance observing Charlie, according to a USGA official.

Last fall, Charlie became a high school state golf champion in Florida. For the previous four years, Charlie played alongside Tiger at the parent/child PNC Championship event. The duo’s best finish was in 2021 where they finished second to John Daly and his son, John Daly II.

With Charlie qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur, he follows in his dad’s footsteps. Tiger is a three-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion, winning in 1991, 1992 and 1993. The only three-time champion of the event, Tiger won it at 15 years old, Charlie’s current age.

Established in 1948, the U.S. Junior Amateur is open to amateur golfers who have not reached their 19th birthday and who have a handicap not exceeding 4.4. Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler are past U.S. Junior Amateur champions.

The U.S. Junior Amateur takes place at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., from July 22 to 27. It begins with two rounds of stroke play (July 22 and 23) before the low 64 scorers advance to the match play portion of the championship to be contested on the South Course.

Significance of Charlie qualifying for U.S. Junior Amateur

Typically, qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur are not exactly noteworthy. But Charlie is not a typical qualifier. His presence in the field at Oakland Hills will make the event exponentially more nationally relevant. That’s what comes with the name.

The younger Woods has been under a constant spotlight ever since appearing at the 2020 PNC Championship as an 11-year-old — his swing and mannerisms and demeanor all being compared constantly to that of his father. All of this was naturally both unfair and uncomfortable, but it was the world in which young Charlie had to play through.

All along, Tiger and his vast network of defenses have done well to create as much of a forcefield as possible around Charlie. Other than competitive play or working alongside his father — like last week’s appearance acting as a quasi-swing coach for his dad at the U.S. Open — he’s mostly kept out of the spotlight, and rarely in front of a microphone.

Perhaps this begins to change that. Playing in the U.S. Junior Amateur is, without question, the top achievement of Charlie’s young golfing career. Put aside any ridiculous notions of comparing him to his father — it’s a significant accomplishment for any 15-year-old. Over 3,500 entries were originally accepted into the competition.

So now the younger Woods will step upon a larger stage at Oakland Hills. The junior am will be played on the club’s North and South courses. The South Course is the famed host to nine majors (six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships), three U.S. Amateurs (two men’s, one women’s) and a Ryder Cup. The Donald Ross design was recently renovated by Gil Hanse and is slated for two U.S. Opens in 2034 and 2051, and two U.S. Women’s Opens in 2031 and 2042.

Young Charlie will be one of 264 players in the field. But it will likely feel like he’s one of one. — Brendan Quinn, senior golf writer

(Photo: David Cannon / Getty Images)