Everyone in the golf world recognized the immense pressure Rory McIlroy had been under prior to winning the Masters and completing the grand slam. But an argument can be made that no golfer on Earth is under more pressure than Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods.
It is hard to fathom trying to walk your own path in the golf world when Tiger is your dad. That shadow looms large, and yet, Charlie finally took the first major step toward climbing out from that shadow.
On Wednesday, Woods beat a field chock full of amateur stars at the Team TaylorMade Invitational for his first career win on the AJGA circuit (Amateur Junior Golf Association).
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 22: Tiger Woods of the United States and his son Charlie Woods react on the 18th green during the second round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 22, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
But he didn’t squeek out his first victory. He beat the field by three strokes, signing for a 6-under 66 to finish at 15-under overall.
Following his victory, the 16-year-old Woods opened up about what the win meant to him personally and professionally.
“This golf course [Black Course at Streamsong Resort] is in just perfect condition and it is such a fun event with all of the best junior golfers out here,” Woods said.
“I didn’t look at the leaderboard once today. On the fairway after hitting the green on 18, he’s [Woods’ caddie] is like, ‘you make par here, you’re going to be fine.’
“I guess that helped me out a little bit,” Woods said with a smile. It is a bit surprising to hear he did not want to know where his competitors stood.
He did tap in for par on 18, clinching the three-shot win over the likes of Miles Russell, Luke Colton, and other future stars in golf.
“Being able to say to myself that I won an absolutely amazing event and to say I preformed under some high pressure situations is just huge going forward. I haven’t been able to say that I have done that, and now that I can, it is just a big thing for my mental game going forward.”
It is refreshing to hear the high schooler acknowledge the mental difficulty, likely relating to the aforementioned pressure.
Immediately after news surfaced of Woods’ maiden victory, fans online flocked to social media.
“Dad’s gotta be so proud!” one fan wrote with a fire emoji. Another fan chimed in, “Go get em Charlie! I mean Champ.” Interestingly, several fans drew comparisons between the Woods family, LeBron James, and his son Bronny.
“Congratulations, Bronny Woods,” a golf fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“This is like Bronny beating Cooper Flagg in March Madness. ,” another posted.
A comparison between Tiger Woods and LeBron James makes sense. They are each considered if not the greatest, on the Mount Rushmore of greatest players from their sport.
But unlike Bronny, who struggled massively during his rookie NBA season and was relegated to the NBA G League, the jury is still out on Charlie Woods.
He is currently a sophomore at the Benjamin School in Florida, and is just starting to find his game. The younger Woods had played in four previous AJGA events, with his best finish being a tie for 25th at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.