Tiger Woods’ son Charlie Woods is not on site at Royal Troon for the 152nd Open Championship due to one very good reason
Tiger Woods’ son Charlie Woods is not on site at Royal Troon for the 152nd Open Championship due to one very good reason
As the 152nd Open Championship unfolds at Royal Troon, a familiar face is conspicuously absent: Charlie Woods, the rising star and son of golfing legend Tiger Woods. Instead of joining the gallery to watch his father compete, Charlie is laser-focused on his own journey, preparing for the US Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills next week.
The 15-year-old prodigy recently qualified for his first-ever USGA tournament, leading his qualifying event with an impressive score of 1-under par. This milestone places him on the cusp of a major opportunity; the winner of the US Junior Amateur earns a coveted spot at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Charlie’s performance has propelled him to a career-high ranking of 38th in the ‘Class of 2027′ according to The Universal Golf Rankings (TUGR).
Tiger Woods, a three-time winner of the US Junior Amateur from 1991 to 1993, understands the weight of these formative years. Following his junior successes, he dominated the US Amateur for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996. Now, his son’s burgeoning career echoes his own early triumphs, adding another layer of legacy to the Woods name.
Despite his father’s storied career, Charlie is making his own mark. This season, he has often been seen on site with Tiger, including at the recent US Open. While Tiger, now 48, grapples with the physical toll of his career and recovery from last year’s ankle surgery, he has leaned on Charlie for support. Remarkably, the elder Woods has relied on his son’s keen eye to refine his swing in the lead-up to major tournaments.
Tiger Woods’ 2024 campaign has been a testament to his resilience. Limited to just a few appearances, he faces the daunting challenge of remaining competitive at the highest level. His year started with a withdrawal during the second round of the Genesis Invitational, followed by a last-place finish among those who made the cut at The Masters. Subsequent missed cuts at the US PGA and US Open have cast doubt on his future in the sport.
The Open Championship at Royal Troon marks Tiger’s fifth start in 2024. Arriving via private jet on Sunday, he began his preparation with a full 18-hole practice round alongside his caddie, Lance Bennett, on Monday. The stakes are high, not just for the tournament, but for Tiger’s enduring legacy.
The emotional weight of the Open is palpable for Tiger, who was visibly moved during what many believed to be his farewell at St Andrews in 2022, where he missed the cut. Despite suggestions, including from golfing great Colin Montgomerie, that he should retire, Tiger remains determined to prove his competitiveness.
As Tiger Woods battles at Royal Troon, the future of the Woods dynasty glimmers with Charlie’s burgeoning career. The 15-year-old’s preparation for the US Junior Amateur signals a new chapter, filled with potential and ambition. In the shadow of his father’s monumental achievements, Charlie Woods is forging his own path, poised to add new pages to the storied legacy of the Woods family in the world of golf.
