Charlie Woods Bounces Back From US Junior Disappointment To Win First ‘Major’ Tournament
Charlie Woods responded in true Tiger fashion as he won a South Florida Junior major in his first start after his US Junior Amateur disaster


Charlie Woods has shown a few characteristics of his father in his golf swing and on-course mannerisms, and it seems he also has Tiger's resilience after claiming his first major tournament victory.
Only a week ago Woods missed the cut at the US Junior Amateur after a brutal USGA debut saw him finish 22 over par through 36 holes.
The 15-year-old seemingly has that old Tiger battling spirit though, as he's responded in typical Woods fashion by going out and winning on his very next start.
Woods won the South Florida Junior Cup on 31 July, which is one of eight events marked as major tournaments on the South Florida Junior Tour.
OK, it's not one of 'those' Majors that Tiger has 15 of tucked away at home, but its a start and the circumstances of the victory make it even more impressive when you consider what happened last time out.
Woods shot 73-68-73 at the BallenIsles Country Club’s East Course to finish as the only one of the initial field of 63 to end the tournament under par.
And even in his post-round comments, Charlie showed the same tenacity that has fired his dad up through his legendary career - with that US Junior Amateur performance only serving to ignite more passion to succeed.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“I wanted it so bad,” said Woods. “I felt focused, and I knew what I had to do to get it done. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do better.”
“I feel like it was a compilation of a lot of hard work this summer. I wanted to redeem myself, and I feel great about how I played.”
Having that surname brings about a huge amount of extra pressure and expectation for Charlie, but whether his golf game can measure up in the future or not he seemingly already has a terrific attitude towards the game.
Tiger and Charlie Woods during the PNC Championship
Having had some glimpses of the limelight already may help. Woods regularly partners Tiger at the PNC Championship when the comparisons in their swings are hard to ignore.
And despite being so young, the teenager has also been seen at Augusta and the other Major championships helping Tiger on the range and in practice rounds - with the great man saying his son was particularly helpful with his putting stroke.
Having such a bad exit at the US Junior Amateur was always going to attract attention, and from here on in every performance like that one at Oakland Hills will be accompanied by question marks about how good Woods Jr can be.
Charlie tried to qualify for the US Open when he shot 81 at a local qualifying event, while he also entered pre-qualifying for the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic.
That also didn't go his way as he shot 86 with a bit of a disaster in a 12 taken on a par four - and again plenty was made of that.
Those events are all far and above where a 15-year-old golfer should be though, and Woods has won two events in two months at his own level so all in all he's doing OK.
From how he's dealt with the last couple of weeks, even if he doesn't reach the heights his dad did, it won't be through a lack of trying.
A post shared by South Florida PGA Junior Tour (@sfpga_jrtour)
A photo posted by on
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
'I Think We All Hoped It Would Have Been A Little Further Long, And That's No Secret' - Brooks Koepka's Echoes Recent Tough Love Towards LIV Golf
The five-time Major champion said progress is being made with the PIF-backed circuit after stating it was "quite far behind" its rivals on The Joe Pomp Show
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How You Can Play St Andrews Old Course In Reverse
You can win a tee time on the 'reversed' Old Course at St Andrews next year by shooting the lowest gross score over the virtual links this April
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'I Can't Believe I'm Saying This' - Tiger Woods Hints At Shock Augusta Appearance Before Revealing True State Of His Achilles In April Fools Joke
Woods was apparently keen not to miss out on the whimsical nature of April 1 by posting a playful update on his recovery from Achilles surgery
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The People Can’t Get Enough Of Him. We Can’t Get Enough Of Him. It Would Be Sad That He Wouldn’t Come Back Here And Play In The Future' - Major Champions Call On Tiger Woods To Become 'Ceremonial' Masters Player Once He Retires
Two-time US Open winners Andy North and Curtis Strange responded to questions about Tiger Woods' future in golf prior to the 89th Masters tournament
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Tiger Did Some Stuff In 2000...But Scottie’s Year Was The Best We’ve Ever Seen' - Bubba Watson Sparks Debate With Controversial Scheffler Claim
Bubba Watson has sparked a huge golfing debate after claiming Scottie Scheffler's 2024 season was better than Tiger Woods' all-conquering 2000 campaign
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘It’s The Craziest Thing In The History Of Sport What Tiger Woods Did’ - Brandel Chamblee Questions 15-Time Major Winner’s Swing Changes During Peak Of Career
Speaking on the Dan on Golf podcast, Chamblee claimed that Woods' move to coach, Hank Haney, in 2004 was one of the 'craziest things in the history of sport'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'Love Is In The Air' - Tiger Woods Announces Relationship With Vanessa Trump
The 15-time Major winner announced on social media that he and Vanessa Trump are together
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'He's In Great Spirits' - Fred Couples Issues Upbeat Bulletin On Tiger Woods As He Starts Latest Recovery
Tiger Woods is "in great spirits" as he starts his latest injury comeback from a ruptured Achilles - according to close friend Fred Couples
By Paul Higham Published
-
Report: Work On Tiger Woods Biopic To Begin - With Barack Obama's Film Company Involved
A film about the life and career of Tiger Woods is reportedly in the works, with Barack Obama's production company likely to be involved
By Paul Higham Published
-
Is It Finally Time For Tiger Woods To Walk Away From Professional Golf?
The 15-time Major winner faces another long spell on the sidelines after undergoing achilles surgery
By Elliott Heath Published