Tiger Woods' son, Charlie Woods, finished first out of 86 golfers in a U.S. Junior Amateur championship qualifying event on Wednesday, earning a spot to compete at Oakland Hills Country Club in July.

Charlie carded a 1-under-par 71 at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida. The 15-year-old was the only player to finish under par in the field.

“It feels amazing to qualify for my first USGA championship,” Charlie said after his round. “I’m excited to compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur next month, especially somewhere as historic as Oakland Hills.”

According to his scorecard, Charlie, who played the back nine first, began his round with a bogey on the par-5 10th and a double-bogey on the par-3 11th, but quickly bounced back with birdies on holes no. 13, 15, and 16. He carded two birdies and one bogey en route to a second-nine 35. (Tiger was in attendance, a USGA official confirmed to the Athletic.)

“I didn’t play great my first two holes, but I played really good for the last 16,” said Charlie. “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. Putting was my biggest strength today. I made a lot of putts when I needed to.”

Back in April, Charlie shot a 9-over 81 in a U.S. Open qualifier.

From July 22-27, 264 of the best golfers under the age of 19 carrying handicaps of 4.4 or less will compete in two rounds of stroke play at Oakland Hills, one on each course (North and South). The top 64 will then enter match play on the South Course. The winner will earn an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Charlie was on the grounds with his dad at Pinehurst, helping his dad prepare for the U.S. Open.

“I think having Charlie out here is very special,” Tiger said. “To have the father-son relationship that we have and to extend it into this part of both of our lives, he’s playing a lot of junior golf, and I’m still playing out here.

“I trust him with my swing and my game. He’s seen it more than anybody else in the world. He’s seen me hit more golf balls than anyone.”

After Woods missed the cut at Pinehurst No. 2, the 48-year-old said he “may or may not” have competed in his final U.S. Open.

Tiger won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championships three times, from 1991–93.

Charlie will hope to create fonder memories than pops in Bloomfield, Michigan. At the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills, Tiger — fresh off his third straight U.S. Amateur crown — finished tied for 82nd. Tiger was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team that lost to Europe in 2004 (the only time he was paired with Phil Mickelson).

The South Course has hosted nine majors and three U.S. Amateurs.

Charlie and Tiger Woods have teamed up for the PNC Championship in Orlando for the past four years. In 2021, they finished runner-up to John Daly and his son, John Daly II.

 

Charlie Woods, who carries a 3.4 handicap, was a high school state champion in Florida in 2023. He's won multiple tournaments on the junior circuit in his home state (occasionally with his father caddying). His triumph at Eagle Trace marks the most significant step in his young golf career.

Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth are among the notable past U.S. Junior Amateur champions.

Also in the U.S. Junior Amateur field is Miles Russell, a 15-year-old from Florida, who made a cut on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this year and earned a sponsor’s exemption into the next week's PGA Tour event, the Rocket Mortgage Classic.