Charlie Woods failed to qualify for the US Open earlier this month, but the 16-year-old has responded in an invitational event.
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Charlie Woods, the son of golfing legend Tiger Woods, has bounced back in style after failing to qualify for the US Open earlier this month. The star, 16, missed out on local qualifying for the prestigious tournament for the second year running. However, he has since shrugged off his disappointment by playing a strong first round at the Team TaylorMade Invitational on Monday.
Woods Jr’s thrilling round included an eagle, eight birdies, five bogeys, a triple bogey and just three pars, all on par three holes. He now sits tied for fourteenth place among a field of 72 players at the invitational-only event, held at the Streamsong Resort’s Black Course in Bowling Green, Florida. His impressive performance so far is a testament to his mental resilience, showing that he won’t let his US Open setback hinder his ambitions, despite the pressure he faces as a young player.
Charlie was one of 10,202 entries for the US Open. Although he didn’t make the cut, he did manage to improve on last year’s score in the 18-hole local qualifying, posting a three-over 75 at Wellington Golf Club on May 8.
This left him seven shots shy of advancing to the 36-hole final stage, whereas last year, he shot 81 in the local US Open qualifier. The young golfer will bear the weight of not making it to the prestigious major, especially given his father’s iconic status and remarkable success in the sport.
Tiger boasts three US Open titles among his 15 professional majors, while he never had to go through the first stage of local qualifying. According to the USGA, Tiger was exempt from local qualifying between 1992 and 1994, reportedly due to his US Junior Amateur titles.
He played his first US Open in 1995 at the age of 20, but didn’t clinch the tournament until 2000. This year’s competition kicks off on June 12 at Oakmont, with Woods Sr. out of action as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Last December, the 49-year-old golfing legend praised his son’s progress on the course but urged fans to be patient. “He has gotten better at every facet of the game,” Woods said while playing alongside Charlie at the PNC Championship.
“I know he’s been doing this in front of the media for a long time, but I think it’s incredible what he’s been able to accomplish so far, and the ceiling that he has is unlimited.”
Tyler Watts from Huntsville, Alabama and Texas-born Luke Colton are leading the Team TaylorMade Invitational, after shooting 67, putting them five-under. Both Watts and Colton are among the top 10 in the AJGA junior boys golf rankings, while Woods is currently ranked at No. 604. The tournament’s second round will commence on Tuesday, with the final round scheduled for Wednesday.