Charlie Woods Struggles On AJGA Debut And Finishes In A Tie For 32nd

Woods carded rounds of 78, 81 and 78 on his AJGA debut to finish in a tie for 32nd in the 51-player field

Charlie Woods walks off the tee
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Making his AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) debut at the Will Lowery Junior Championship, Charlie Woods struggled at the event as the 15-year-old carded a 21-over-par tournament total and a tie for 32nd.

Playing on a a sponsor’s invite, reports claimed that security measures had been stepped up after Woods' appearance at a pre-qualifier for the Cognizant Classic, an event where he shot an 86 with reports further claiming that there was crowd trouble as eager fans flocked to try and follow the teen's effort.

Earlier in the week, his dad and 15-time Major winner, Tiger Woods, was spotted at the tournament in North Carolina, with Tiger present and "very engaged" in talks with Saudi Public Investment Fund boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas just a few days prior.

Returning to the event and, in the first round, Charlie carded a 78 that included three birdies, five bogeys and two double-bogeys. Finding himself in the middle of the pack, an 81 followed in the second round, with one birdie, eight bogeys and a double bogey putting him well down the leaderboard.

A third round of 78 followed and concluded his tournament, as the 15-year-old finished in a tie for 32nd in the 51-player field, with winner, Patmom Malcom, comfortably claiming the title by eight strokes following rounds of 69, 70 and 70 for a seven-under-par total.

Charlie Woods tees off with spectators watching

Woods during the Cognizant Classic pre-qualifier in February 2023

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite the result, Charlie is still early in his junior career and, it's worth noting that, in 2022, he cruised to victory by eight shots at the Major Championship at Village Golf Course.

What's more, he shot a 66 in the Last Chance Regional to close out another win and qualify for the aforementioned 2023 Notah Begay III Boys' Jr Golf National Championship where he finished T17 in the Boys 14-15 Division.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x