Charlie Woods' weekend hopes hang in the balance after opening round
August 1, 2025, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA: CHARLIE WOODS lines up his putt on the final day of the PGA, Golf Herren Junior Championships on August 1, 2025, at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. West Lafayette USA - ZUMAw145 20250801_zsp_w145_025 Copyright: xDavidxWegielx
August 1, 2025, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA: CHARLIE WOODS lines up his putt on the final day of the PGA, Golf Herren Junior Championships on August 1, 2025, at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. West Lafayette USA - ZUMAw145 20250801_zsp_w145_025 Copyright: xDavidxWegielx
A 3-over 75 for Charlie Woods keeps him hanging on to making the weekend at the Junior PGA Championship. At the end of the first round, the 17-year-old sits well off the lead, and making the cut will not be an easy task.
On Tuesday, Woods carded a 3-over 75 at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas. Under difficult conditions, the youngster struggled to find his groove.
After the opening round, Woods finished tied for 53rd. Only the top-60 and ties will head to the weekend.
Woods stumbled early with bogeys at one and four, recovered with a birdie at seven, then a double at nine derailed his front nine.
December 22, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Charlie Woods tees off the 10th hole during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20241222_fap_w109_027 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
December 22, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Charlie Woods tees off the 10th hole during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20241222_fap_w109_027 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
Late birdies at 15 and 18 offered hope, but bogeys at 14 and 16 kept him from climbing the leaderboard, as reported by Golfweek's Adam Schupak.
Last year, Woods had registered a tie for 9th at Purdue University's Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
This year he stands on the edge, seven strokes behind tournament leader Kailer Stone of Alameda, California.
The second round will make all the difference, as the players will move over to compete on Fields Ranch's West Course.
The 17-year-old is coming off the U.S. Junior Amateur, where viral incidents overshadowed his play.
Pressure mounts for Charlie Woods after U.S. Junior Amateur setback
Charlie Woods put up an eventful performance at the U.S. Junior Amateur. Despite his best efforts, the 17-year-old failed to secure a match play position, and some of it wasn’t his fault.
“Really dude…” said Woods to the spectator, as reported by Brentley Romine of Golf Channel.
The outburst came after a spectator's camera shutter disrupted his concentration during a crucial playoff hole.
Woods was part of a 14-for-2 playoff and needed a birdie on the first extra hole to advance. While he was in the middle of his backswing attempting a wedge shot, a spectator clicked his camera.
The audible camera shutter put off Woods, and he hit it way too hard into the rough. The ball remained in the rough, and his chances were gone.
The day before this, Woods blasted an expletive over a disappointing tee shot and also kicked his club on the ground.
These moments went viral on social media, but Woods remained extremely professional in handling the spectator situation.
Do you think Charlie Woods will make the cut at the Junior PGA Championship? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Rudra Dubey