Tiger’s teen son Charlie fires 12-over 82 at US Junior Amateur as Weather Delays Rounds
Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, had a challenging debut at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on Monday at Oakland Hills Country Club. Despite striking the ball decently, Woods shot a disappointing 12-over 82, struggling with distance control and enduring five double bogeys and four bogeys, countered by only two birdies….
Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, had a challenging debut at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on Monday at Oakland Hills Country Club. Despite striking the ball decently, Woods shot a disappointing 12-over 82, struggling with distance control and enduring five double bogeys and four bogeys, countered by only two birdies.
Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner, accompanied his son throughout the round, attracting a large gallery. The crowd, estimated between 800 to 1,000, was one of the largest ever for a U.S. Junior Amateur first round. Club officials noted an increase in volunteers after Charlie qualified for the championship by winning his qualifier at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida.
The elder Woods, back from missing the cut at Royal Troon, showed no signs of limping as he walked the hilly North Course. To manage the crowd, the USGA assigned a large number of marshals, which increased from six to 18 by the seventh hole.
Charlie Woods started with three pars but faced difficulties at the par-3 fourth hole, resulting in a triple bogey. He managed a birdie at the par-5 fifth but struggled with bogeys and double bogeys, finishing the front nine in 40 strokes. His second birdie came at the par-5 12th, but he ended the day hitting only eight fairways and seven greens in regulation, with three three-putts.
Woods’ score placed him near the bottom of the 264-player field. He did not speak to the media post-round, visibly upset as he sat in the scoring tent. His playing partners, Chase Kyes and Davis Ovard, shot 70 and 73, respectively. Kyes noted the pressure of playing with Tiger Woods watching but praised Charlie’s talent, calling it a “bad day.”
The trio was scheduled to play the more challenging South Course on Tuesday, but play was halted on Monday afternoon due to dangerous weather, potentially delaying the second round. The top 64 players will advance to match play, with Tyler Watts leading after shooting a 5-under 65 on the North Course.
