Tiger Woods to Watch Son Compete at Oakland Hills; Free Admission for Spectators

Tiger Woods is confirmed to attend the U.S. Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills to watch his 15-year-old son, Charlie, compete. The tournament will take place in Bloomfield Township, with 264 players participating. Woods will travel to Metro Detroit following the British Open in Scotland, where he is currently playing. After a challenging opening round at Royal Troon, Woods is unlikely to make the cut.

Charlie Woods, from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., earned his place in the U.S. Junior Amateur by winning an 18-hole qualifier in Florida on June 19. Despite a rough start, he finished with a 1-under 71. This tournament is the biggest of Charlie’s young career, although he has played in a father-son PGA Tour event. His father, Tiger, won the U.S. Junior Amateur three times, along with three U.S. Amateurs and three U.S. Opens, totaling nine USGA championships. Tiger now plays a limited schedule and focuses on supporting Charlie. However, USGA rules prevent parents from caddying in the U.S. Junior Amateur.

Charlie will play practice rounds at Oakland Hills on Saturday and Sunday, with his tournament rounds scheduled for Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon. The event is free to attend, and large crowds are expected due to Tiger Woods’ presence. Club officials have prepared for increased interest by ordering more branded merchandise.

The U.S. Junior Amateur begins with two days of stroke play on both the South and North courses, with the top 64 players advancing to match play. The championship match will be held on Saturday, July 27. Other notable participants include 15-year-old Miles Russell from Florida, who recently competed in the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, and two Michigan players, Connor Fox from Lake Orion and Ieuan Jones from Ann Arbor.

Oakland Hills, which recently renovated its South Course and is rebuilding its clubhouse after a 2022 fire, will also host future U.S. Opens and U.S. Women’s Opens. The U.S. Junior Amateur has a storied history, with past champions including Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.