Charlie Woods is a lot like his dad, Tiger Woods, in him—and that’s both a blessing and a bit of a risk. As the son of a golf legend, Charlie faces sky-high expectations, and while he’s already showing at times he’s got the skills, there are signs he might also be picking up some of the same high-stakes habits his dad is famous for. This season was a bumpy one for Charlie. After a tough loss at the US Junior Amateur, he came back strong, winning the South Florida Junior PGA Cup.
Now, the 15-year-old has become a part of another victory carrying his school with him. But it hasn’t been without struggle. During the regionals at the Miami Shores, Charlie Woods bogeyed the second, third, and eighth holes. He did card birdies on 6, 12, and 13 to finish par and end T6 tied finish. Woods’s team, the Buccaneers of the Benjamin School finished second and secured an automatic spot in next week’s state championship.
His high school coach, Toby Harbeck, sees shades of Tiger Woods in him and not just in his swing. “He’s tough on himself. If he could just relax and play, [and] store some of that energy, it’s good. He’s just young. He’s got a lot of Dad in him,” Harbeck told Palm Beach Post. The coach notes that Charlie tends to go “pin hunting” in the same aggressive way the 15x major champion has throughout his career.
Woods’s intensity is legendary. He’s been known to go all out, focusing on his play sincerely and tackling the hardest golf courses. To put it simply, he is known to be hard on himself. Take this year for example. The 82x PGA Tour winner was in pain, but it did not dim his zeal. Although he did not perform as well as everyone expected, he did try. Fellow golfer Xander Schauffele noted this, and said, “He’s making it as hard on himself as possible, and I know he’s hard on himself, too. It’s just hard.” Well, like father like son!
When Colin Montgomerie pointed out that the 48-year-old golfer should just retire, he roared back. Tiger Woods is not ready to retire, period. He still has a lot of golf in him. Charlie Woods is just getting started, still new to the sport as compared to his father, and learning the antics from the best as he goes. But Woods Jr. should not be too hard, that it takes a toll on his health in any way. He should know when to cut himself slack, and not overdo it.
It’s a level of commitment to being the best that takes its toll, and it’s something people around Charlie are beginning to notice in him, too. As hard as Charlie gets on him, he will always have his father’s support.
Tiger Woods likes to be there for his son
Tiger Woods has always made sure to be there for his son when it counts. Even though the veteran golfer usually keeps to himself during tournaments, he was right there watching Charlie play for the Benjamin Buccaneers. Tiger Woods being a spectator is not something we see often, but when it comes to Charlie, his father makes sure to show up.
The two had a brief chat quite a few times, during the regional match. It’s not the first time Woods has been there for his son—he was also present for Charlie’s USGA debut. Even with everything going on in his own life, he makes the effort to support Charlie in a way that matters. The Tour pro is incredibly proud of his son. He was there to see his son get a championship ring last year too.
And while Woods Sr. is recovering from his sixth back surgery, he’s expected to return for the Hero World Challenge in December, before wrapping up the year with a father-son outing at the PNC Championship.
