Like father, like son!
The golf legend Tiger Woods has to be a proud dad right now after his 15 year-old son Charlie qualified to play his first USGA championship on Wednesday.
Charlie Qualifies For First USGA Event
ESPN reported that Charlie Woods recovered from a bogey, double bogey start at Eagle Trace Golf Club to finish in first place among qualifiers with a 1-under 71.
This made Charlie one of four players to qualify from this site, and he will move on to compete for the U.S. Junior Amateur next month at Oakland Hills. That tournament will consist of 264 players and will take place from July 22-27, according to The Detroit Free Press. The winner of the tournament will get an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.
“I didn’t play great my first two holes, but I played really good for the last 16,” Charlie said. “I just told myself not to make any more bogeys or doubles and I took advantage of some nice birdie looks when I had them.”
Tiger was just 14 years-old when he qualified for his first U.S. Junior, where he reached the semifinals. He went on to win his first U.S. Junior Amateur a year later at Bay Hill in 19 holes. Tiger is still the only player to win the U.S. Junior three straight times. He is a nine-time USGA champion: three straight U.S. Junior Amateurs, three straight U.S. Amateurs and three U.S. Open titles.
Related: Tiger Woods Was Just Handed A Lifetime Exemption To PGA Tour’s Signature Events
Charlie’s Golf Goals
Charlie is hoping to replicate his father’s success.
“The USGA means a lot to me,” Charlie said. “I want to win USGA championships and hopefully one day the U.S. Open.”
Find out more about this in the video below.
Charlie is the youngest of the two children that Tiger shares with his ex-wife Elin Nordegren, who he was married to from 2004 until they divorced in 2010. Tiger is also father to daughter Sam, 16, who has decided to focus on playing soccer instead of golf, according to People Magazine.
“She has … a negative connotation to the game, because when she was growing up, golf took Daddy away from her,” Tiger told TODAY last month. “I had to leave, and I’d be gone for weeks.”
“So we developed our own relationship, our own rapport, outside of golf,” he continued. “Meanwhile, my son (Charlie) and I do everything golf related.”
Related: Tiger Woods Offers Some Words Of Wisdom For New Dad Scottie Scheffler
Tiger Gives Charlie Golf Advice
Tiger went on to say that while Charlie typically listens to his golfing tips, there is still “some pushback.”
“He’s 15 years old,” Tiger said. “It’s what happens — it’s what teenagers go through. They’re trying to find their own place in the world.”
Tiger famously bonded with his own father Earl over golf. Sadly, Earl died in 2006, four years before Charlie was born.
“I wish my dad could have met Charlie. I wish Charlie could have met my dad,” Tiger lamented. “They would have loved each other.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how far Charlie can take his golfing career. We wish him the best of luck in his first USGA event next month!
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