Charlie Woods channels Tiger Woods during strong Junior Players opening round
PGA, Golf Herren PNC Championship Dec 22, 2024 Orlando, Florida, USA Tiger Woods and son Charlie Woods celebrate after a putt on the ninth green during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xNathanxRayxSeebeckx 20241222_nrs_fo8_0091
PGA, Golf Herren PNC Championship Dec 22, 2024 Orlando, Florida, USA Tiger Woods and son Charlie Woods celebrate after a putt on the ninth green during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xNathanxRayxSeebeckx 20241222_nrs_fo8_0091
17-year-old Charlie Woods resembled his dad, Tiger Woods, with his opening-round 1-under 71 at the Junior Players Championship. His antics and quick turnover certainly paralleled the 15-time major winner’s game.
Woods is featuring at the annual junior golf tournament on a sponsor’s invite. At TPC Sawgrass, the amateur showcased glimpses of his brilliance.
On Friday, Woods carded a 1-under 71 at the iconic Stadium Course, putting him right in contention for the title. However, it wasn’t a smooth day for the youngster.
December 22, 2024, Orlando, Florida, United States: Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie Woods, wait to putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 2024 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. Orlando United States - ZUMAs197 20241222_aaa_s197_417 Copyright: xPaulxHennessyx
December 22, 2024, Orlando, Florida, United States: Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie Woods, wait to putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 2024 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. Orlando United States - ZUMAs197 20241222_aaa_s197_417 Copyright: xPaulxHennessyx
After five holes, Woods was 2-over. Bogeys at the par-5 11th and par-4 14th dropped him down the leaderboard.
According to Golfweek's Adam Schupak, the 17-year-old let out a "god dammit" after he found the water with his second shot at the 11th. Very similar to Tiger Woods, who was never shy about showcasing his emotions.
However, with back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th, Woods was back on track. Then came the famous par-3 17th, where Tiger Woods’ shot was labelled better than most by NBC commentator Gary Koch.
Back in 2001, the former world No. 1 landed a double-breaking, 60-foot putt for birdie at the 17th to win the first of his two Players Championships.
Charlie Woods couldn’t get his birdie but managed a dramatic par. Firstly, his tee shot settled on the footpath. Then he thought his wedge shot was going into the water, but fans let him know that he was safe.
The job wasn’t done. 30 yards from the pin, Woods attempted the chip just like his father. It went to four feet, and he landed the par putt. The amateur handled the pressure really well.
With a birdie on the final hole, Woods finished at 71, tied for eighth and four shots back of solo leader Chase Bauer from Florida.
The 17-year-old will look to clinch his first Junior PLAYERS Championship title with a strong weekend.
Woods also landed his first NIL deal recently.
Charlie Woods inks TaylorMade deal
Following in the footsteps of his father, Charlie Woods signed a NIL deal with TaylorMade.
"Having TaylorMade in my corner has been great," Woods said, per Golf.com's Jack Hirsh. "They've supported me a lot over the last year, and I'm really excited to officially be part of Team TaylorMade.”
TaylorMade announced the deal through an X post. In that post, Woods Jr pulls out a TaylorMade hat from his locker.
The 17-year-old joins elite company in world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, and LPGA star Nelly Korda, who also have a NIL deal with the leading American sports equipment manufacturer.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar