Charlie Woods, the son of golf legend Tiger Woods, will have to wait another year to achieve his dream of playing in the U.S. Open after failing to qualify for the second consecutive time.
The 16-year-old, who recently shared his thoughts on his father’s relationship with Vanessa Trump, is seen as a potential successor to his globally renowned father in pursuing a professional golf career. The young prodigy has already shown promise, setting a new record at the 2020 PNC Championship as the youngest participant at just 11 years old.
He had the privilege of teeing off alongside his father, a 15-time major winner, and continued to do so in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He also participated in his first pre-qualifying tournament for a PGA Tour event at the Cognizant Classic.
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However, his journey to participate in the next U.S. Open came to an end at a regional qualifying tournament at Wellington Golf Club, Florida.
Competing in his home state, Woods Jr. scored a three-over-par 75, falling short of the required 68 to secure his Final Qualifying spot. This marks the second year in a row that the aspiring golfer has been unable to clear this hurdle, meaning he will miss the tournament at Oakmont.
Before this, the teenager’s father spoke highly of how his son has been a pillar of support for him through recent physical and mental hurdles. Following his 2021 car accident that resulted in severe injuries and ongoing fitness struggles, PEOPLE magazine reported that the golf star has leaned on Charlie’s backing.
“Being a dad has helped him stay focused on his recovery,” they said. “At times, it’s been very difficult for him both physically and mentally.
“His leg injuries caused him extreme pain… He has worked very hard in physical therapy. He is a fighter and has been determined to get better, though.
“Tiger loves spending time with Charlie on the golf course, but he has a completely different vibe than Earl had while working with him.
“They’re all smiles. Tiger is definitely teaching him the right techniques, but there’s not the intensity that Earl had with him,” the insider noted. “It’s a total bonding experience. Tiger can be goofy and funny with Charlie. It’s not ‘all work and no play’ like Earl could sometimes be.”
A loving father, Tiger shared with ESPN his joy in playing golf with his son. He expressed: “Any time I get a chance to spend time with my son, it’s always special. And to do it in a competitive forum, the last couple of years have been magical, and to be able to do it again, we’re looking forward to it.”
The 15-time major champ has had to take a step back from golf this year after an operation on his Achilles, putting his ambitions for the 2025 Masters on hold. He filled in his fans about his health, remarking: “As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured.
“This morning, Dr Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon.
“I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support.”
