Charlie Woods hid his face with his cap after shaking hands with his playing partners at the end of his round. AP Photo
Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, had a challenging day at the U.S. Junior Amateur tournament, shooting a 12-over par 82 on Monday at the Oakland Hills North Course. After finishing his round, Charlie was visibly upset and covered his face with his cap as he shook hands with his playing partners on the 18th green.
Despite the tough round, Tiger Woods reassured Charlie’s caddie, Luke Wise, that the young golfer had still qualified for the tournament. Charlie earned his spot by securing a 1-under par 71 in a qualifier last month in Coral Springs, Florida. However, he faces a significant challenge on Tuesday, as he needs a strong performance on the Oakland Hills South Course—a layout famously dubbed “The Monster” by Ben Hogan—to advance. The field comprises 264 players from 40 states and 35 countries, with only the top 64 making the cut.
The pressure on Charlie is immense, partly due to the constant attention from fans and media. About 100 spectators gathered around the first tee to watch him, and the crowd grew throughout the round. Tiger Woods, who was there to support his son, had to navigate a swarm of security and fans, as 16 Oakland Hills members were on hand to manage the crowd.
During the round, Charlie showed signs of frustration, evident from his body language and reactions to poor shots. He struggled with errant drives, challenging flop shots, and overshot several greens. After hitting his tee shot on the seventh hole, a fan even took his tee, decorated with a palm tree, as a souvenir.
Photo: The Associated Press
Tiger’s support was limited by tournament rules, which prevent parents from coaching their children during play. This restriction meant Tiger could only watch from a distance. He was seen trying to give subtle guidance, like when Charlie faced a tricky shot on the par-3 fourth hole. A rules official had granted relief for Charlie’s ball, which landed on a metal cap, but the decision to take relief was not as Tiger had hoped.
Charlie’s round included five double bogeys, four bogeys, and two birdies on the par 5 holes. Tiger, at 14, had also competed in the U.S. Junior Amateur, reaching the semifinals in his first year and winning the tournament three times consecutively. This background highlights the high standards and expectations placed on Charlie, who is still early in his golfing journey.
Tiger Woods made the trip from Scotland, where he had a disappointing performance at the British Open, missing the cut for the third consecutive major. Despite this setback, Tiger’s focus remained on supporting his son in this pivotal tournament.
