Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie Woods, is not attending the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon this week as he prepares for the US Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills next week. The 15-year-old qualified for his first USGA tournament last month, leading his qualifying event with a score of 1-under par.
The winner of the US Junior Amateur earns a spot in the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Tiger Woods won the US Junior Amateur three consecutive years from 1991 to 1993, followed by three straight US Amateur victories from 1994 to 1996.
Charlie’s recent performance boosted him to a career-high ranking of 38th in the ‘Class of 2027’ according to The Universal Golf Rankings (TUGR). He has accompanied his father at several tournaments this season, most recently at the US Open.
Tiger Woods, 48, does not have a full-time golf coach and has relied on Charlie to analyze his swing before major tournaments. The 15-time major champion has played only a few events this year as he recovers from ankle surgery last year. This week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon marks his fifth start in 2024.
Woods withdrew during the second round of the Genesis Invitational, finished last among those who made the cut at The Masters, and missed the cuts at both the US PGA and US Open. His last Open appearance in 2022 at St Andrews ended in tears as he missed the cut, suggesting a potential farewell to the tournament.
Despite calls for retirement, including from Colin Montgomerie last week, Woods remains determined to compete. He arrived at Royal Troon on Sunday via his private jet to start preparations and played all 18 holes on Monday with his caddie, Lance Bennett.