Tiger Woods is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. He has a number of accolades to back this up, including 82 wins on the PGA Tour, and a total number of 683 weeks ranked as the world’s #1 golfer, more than twice as long as the next golfer on that list. However, as most great things do, they must eventually come to an end. Although Tiger may be leaving the PGA Tour soon, there may be another Woods making an appearance on the leaderboards. Tiger’s 12-year-old son, Charlie, has the potential to live up to his father’s legacy.
At the 2020 PNC Championship a scramble-style father-son tournament for professional players who have either won a major or who have won the Players Championship, Tiger and Charlie teamed up in Charlie’s first-ever pro event. People were skeptical as to how he would respond to the pressure, but it didn’t take long for him to prove everyone wrong. On the third hole of the tournament, a par 5, Charlie hit a 5 wood from 175 yards out to only a couple of feet. He would go on to sink the putt for his own eagle. According to Tiger, that was his very first one. Charlie made several birdie putts and gave his father many opportunities to make putts by hitting his approach shots close. Keep in mind that there were no spectators at this event due to Covid-19, but it was still broadcasted on TV. The Woods’ would not go on to win the event, but the golf world was starting to understand that Charlie was special.
The very next year, at the 2021 PNC Championship, Tiger and Charlie teamed up again to compete in the tournament. Going up against other pros and their children, Charlie put on a show. Some would even say he put Tiger on his back. Most kids Charlie’s age would fold under the pressure of playing in front of thousands of spectators who were at the event, but Charlie showed no signs of the pressure getting to him. In the final round, Team Woods made 11 birdies in the last 12 holes to shoot a 57. This put them in second place in the tournament, only behind PGA legend John Daly, and his son John Daly Jr, aka Little John Daly. Many of the other golfers in this tournament, like little John, are Division I golfers and have a very promising professional career in front of them. Charlie, on the other hand, is still in the 6th grade. Down the stretch, Charlie hit numerous fantastic shots, including sticking his approach shot on 16 to 4 feet to give them a share of the lead. It seemed as if the entire golf world was watching the pair. Team Woods would end up shooting a final round 57, and end up losing to the Daly’s by two strokes, and he undoubtedly showcased that he has the potential for greatness.
Charlie’s skill has not gone unnoticed in the professional golf world, either. Current world #1 and 2021 U.S. Open winner Jon Rahm believes Charlie can make it on the Tour. Rahm said, “Tiger Woods’ son Charlie has got a lot of talent, certainly more than I did at the age of 12. If he keeps working hard, which I’m sure he will, I wouldn’t doubt for one second we’ll see him one day maybe sitting here [on the PGA Tour].” With a father like Tiger Woods, there is no doubt that Charlie will continue working hard and improving his game.
Charlie also has numerous tournament wins of his own. He won a 9 hole U.S Kids Golf event by five shots, shooting a 3 under 33. He also won the PGA South Florida section tournament by two strokes, shooting a 1 under 35. These scores are impressive as it is, but the fact that a 12 year old is shooting these scores is that much more impressive. As Charlie grows up, it will be very exciting to see him grow as a golfer, and potentially have his name next to his father’s in the record books.
