Tiger Woods Battles Frustration on the Course While Balancing Pressure on Son’s Budding Career
Tiger Woods Battles Frustration on the Course While Balancing Pressure on Son’s Budding Career
Tiger Woods, one of golf’s greatest icons, is navigating a challenging period in his illustrious career. At 48, Woods finds himself grappling with setbacks that have deeply affected his game, yet he remains committed to supporting his 15-year-old son, Charlie Axel, as he embarks on his own golfing journey.
Woods’ recent performance at major tournaments has been disappointing. After missing the cut at the PGA Championship earlier this month, a close friend revealed to The Post, “It’s setback after setback for him, and it’s really weighing heavily on him. He’s really frustrated as he figures out how to come back.”
This frustration is compounded by his performances earlier in the year, including a premature exit from the Genesis Invitational in February and a lackluster showing at the Masters in April. Health issues continue to plague Woods, making his comeback even more daunting.
Despite his own struggles, Woods is determined not to impose undue pressure on his son, Charlie Axel, who is showing promise in the world of junior golf. This week, Charlie is competing in the Adam Scott Junior Championship in Lake Worth, Florida, a significant event in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) calendar.
Tiger has been a visible and enthusiastic presence, closely watching Charlie’s performance. “It’s almost funny to watch Tiger sometimes,” says an insider. “He gets so excited watching. If there’s a bad shot, he’ll wince. But he holds his tongue a lot; his dad was legendary, but pushed Tiger maybe too much. Tiger wants to be a balance of pushing, but also supporting and nurturing.”
Woods’ friends say he is still reeling from his missed cut at the PGA Championship. Valhalla’s relatively benign conditions only magnified his frustration. “It was a great week being here at Valhalla, but unfortunately my scores did not indicate how the people treated me and how great a week I had,” Woods remarked post-tournament. “Unfortunately, I hit too many shots.”
A close friend added, “He was p—ed at himself. He’s got to do better. He would hate to have his career end up with him just limping around like a tired old horse. He doesn’t want to be embarrassing. He still wants to be a force.”
Despite these setbacks, Woods is gearing up for his next professional challenge: the US Open at Pinehurst No.2. This appearance, made possible by a special invitation earlier this year, will mark his return to the tournament since 2020.
Woods remains resolute in his approach. “I’m gonna just keep fighting,” he said after his latest loss. “Keep the pedal on, keep fighting, keep grinding, keep working hard. That’s all I can do. It’s going to be a lot, but I’m going to fight until the end.”
As Woods continues to wrestle with the demands of professional golf, he remains an enduring symbol of perseverance. His journey, coupled with his efforts to nurture Charlie’s budding career, underscores a legacy that transcends individual triumphs and setbacks.