Charlie Woods Struggles in First Round at 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, faced a challenging start at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship held at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas, Texas. With his father watching from the sidelines, Charlie carded an 11-over-par 81, placing him tied for 241st out of 264 golfers after the first round. This disappointing performance has put the young golfer in a tough spot as he aims to advance to the match play stage of the prestigious tournament.
A Difficult Day on the Course
Charlie, a rising junior at the Benjamin School, started his round with high expectations after a strong season, including a recent victory at the Team TaylorMade Invitational. However, the windy conditions at Brook Hollow proved challenging. He opened with a bogey on the first hole and struggled early, recording bogeys or worse on six of his first eight holes. Despite a birdie on the ninth, the back nine was particularly tough, with Charlie posting three double bogeys and additional bogeys, finishing the round at 11-over. His second birdie on the 18th offered a small highlight but couldn’t offset the earlier damage.
Tiger Woods’ Support and Presence
Tiger Woods, a three-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion (1991-1993), was present at Brook Hollow, marking one of his first public appearances since his Achilles surgery in March 2025. Seen walking comfortably without assistance, Tiger followed Charlie closely, drawing attention from fans and media alike. His presence, however, couldn’t help Charlie overcome the tough conditions and his struggles on the course.
The Road Ahead for Charlie
The U.S. Junior Amateur Championship features a 264-player field, with stroke play split between Brook Hollow and Trinity Forest Golf Club. After two rounds, the top 64 players advance to match play, with the cut line projected at 3-over par. Charlie’s 11-over score leaves him with a steep challenge in the second round at Trinity Forest, where he teed off at 8:43 a.m. on July 22. Despite the setback, Charlie’s resilience was evident in his improved 3-over 74 in the second round, though his total of 14-over 155 was not enough to make the cut.
A Learning Experience for a Rising Star
While Charlie’s first round was one to forget, his journey in junior golf is far from over. Ranked 19th in the American Junior Golf Association, he has shown promise with recent successes. The U.S. Junior Amateur, won by golf greats like Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, is a tough proving ground. Charlie’s performance, though disappointing, offers valuable experience as he continues to develop his game. With Tiger’s guidance and his own determination, Charlie is poised to bounce back in future competitions.
