Charlie Woods receives even more good news as Tiger's son makes major leap
Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger, cruised to his first AJGA win last week at the Team TaylorMade Invitational, and has seen his AJGA ranking soar markedly as a result
Charlie Woods, the son of golfing legend Tiger Woods, has rocketed up the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings following his first tournament victory. The 16-year-old golf sensation clinched the top spot at the Team TaylorMade Invitational last Wednesday on the Black Course in Bowling Green, Florida, finishing a comfortable three strokes ahead with an impressive total score of 15-under-par.
That was just one stroke off the tournament record of 16-under, which was set by Cayden Pope and Miles Russell in 2023. The son of the 15-time major champion managed to rack up 25 birdies and an eagle across a total of 54 holes to secure the title, effortlessly surpassing AJGA No. 1 Miles Russell in the process.
As Charlie's inaugural tournament win under the AJGA banner, the victory saw him leapfrog 595 places in the official rankings, landing him a commendable 14th place in the standings. Following his success, it seems likely that the Benjamin School student will participate in the 2025 Junior Players Championship, scheduled to take place at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course from August 28 to August 31.
That's because the top 58 players in the Boys section of the rankings as of July 8 automatically qualify for the esteemed event - with the remaining spots in the 78-player field filled through invites and exemptions, reports the Mirror US. In a tale of budding sports stardom, young golfer Charlie is treading in the legendary footsteps of his father.
At just 11 years old, he was already setting records as the youngest player at the PNC Championship in 2020, impressively tying for fifth. The subsequent year saw the father and son team coming tantalisingly close to victory but were pipped to the post by John Daly and his son, John Daly II.
Then, during the most recent tournament, Charlie and Tiger narrowly missed out on triumph again following an intense play-off with Bernhard Langer and son Jason, finishing with an impressive 28-under. During that event, Charlie grabbed international headlines by achieving his first hole-in-one, as Tiger looked on in awe.
Recalling the moment, Tiger said: "That was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie, make his first hole-in-one, Sam [his daughter] on the bag, just our family and friends. That's what this event is about.
"It's about bonding and family. For us to have that experience together, I know we didn't win, but it was the fact that we competed.
"No one really made a mistake out there. We had to earn it and that's what you want to have. Hats off to the Langers - they played amazing."
Meanwhile, Charlie said of the shot: "It was awesome having Dad there. That was so much fun. It was just a perfect seven-iron, little cut in there. Of course never got to see it go in. So that sucks. But that's all right."
Talking about Charlie's progress, Tiger added that the teenager's potential is "unlimited" if he continues to play so impressively. He added: "He has gotten better at every facet of the game. That's a commitment to practicing and developing as a player.
"I think that most of us forget he's only 15 years old. I know he's been doing this in front of the media for a long time but, being only 15, I think it's incredible what he's been able to accomplish so far and the ceiling that he has is unlimited."
It seems Charlie is gaining momentum as his dad's career slows down, with Tiger, 49, playing only five events last year and out of action since the Open Championship in July.
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