“Don’t compare him to me, because he’s not me, he’s Charlie, OK?” These words came straight out of 15-time major winner, Tiger Woods, during his interview with Bridgestone Golf’s “Another Golf Podcast.”
Tiger has achieved some remarkable success during his career. 82 PGA Tour wins, 15 Majors, and numerous record-breaking moments while he battled through his injuries. But the 49-year-old never wanted his son to carry the weight of his own legacy.
As reflected in various media appearances, Tiger wanted Charlie to have space, time, and freedom to build something entirely his own.
Turns out, Charlie didn’t need much time at all. At just 16, his rise has been swift and undeniable.
Tiger’s son Charlie is climbing up the success ladder
It started last month when Charlie secured his first AJGA win, climbing over 500 spots in the amateur rankings to land at No. 14. Over three days, he posted rounds of 70, 65, and 66, finishing 15-under-par.
His winning round came with eight birdies and two bogeys. And the 16-year-old knew exactly what it meant.
“Now I can say I have one, and Dad can’t say I don’t,” Charlie joked after winning the AJGA tournament. But there was no time to dwell.
The younger Woods took that momentum straight into Florida’s 108th Amateur Championship, a tougher field and a higher-level test.
The teenager carded a 2-over 74 during the first round, but improved on Friday. Woods opened with a two bogies at holes No. 1 and No. 3 but bounced back with a birdie at No. 9 and an eagle on the par-5 No. 12. All told, he signed for an even par 72 and entered the weekend in contention for another title.
Unfortunately, Saturday’s third round was a setback. Woods struggled with a triple bogey on No. 8 dooming his round, and his chances.
Charlie Woods carded a 5-over 77 and is now 13 shots off the pace.
A look at Charlie Woods’ best golfing moments
One of his biggest moments in Woods’ young career came at the 2024 PNC Championship, where he delivered a shot that had the entire golf world talking.
On the 176-yard, par-3 fourth hole, Charlie carded his first-ever hole-in-one. And Tiger could not control his emotions. The golfing legend went straight towards his son, hugged him and celebrated the moment like no one else.
CHARLIE WOODS ACE ALERT! 🚨
HIS FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE. UNREAL.
📺: Peacock and Golf Channel | PNC Championship pic.twitter.com/YObfZZbvG3
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 22, 2024
Charlie later reflected on the ace, saying, “It was awesome having Dad there. That was so much fun. It was just a perfect 7-iron, little cut in there. Of course, never got to see it go in. So that sucks. But that’s all right.”
But that wasn’t the only highlight. Just months later, the golf world saw Charlie secure his first AJGA victory at the Team TaylorMade Invitational.
Beyond individual tournaments, Charlie has also made waves in high school golf, leading his team to victory at the Florida State Golf Championship.
Back in 2022, he carded a career-low 68 with Tiger Woods as his caddie at the Notah Begay III Junior National Golf Championship.
His round included two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 14th hole, nearly landing an albatross.
