Tiger Woods watches on as Charlie Woods gets off to horror start at US Junior Amateur
Tiger Woods watches on as Charlie Woods gets off to horror start at US Junior Amateur
Charlie Woods gets off to a tough start in his first-ever USGA event as his father Tiger Woods watches on in the crowd at US Junior Amateur.
Tiger Woods watches his son Charlie Woods
Charlie Woods got off to a tough start in the first round of the US Junior Amateur as his father Tiger Woods watched on at Oakland Hills on Monday.
Charlie, 15, played his way into the US Junior Amateur after leading a qualifying event with a score of 1-under 71 at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Florida last month.
While the odds were always heavily stacked against Charlie Woods in his first-ever USGA event this week, he was left somewhat disappointed with his first round of 12-over 82 on the North Course at Oakland Hills.
It left him T250 in a field of 264 players after the first round of the 2024 US Junior Amateur.
Dad Tiger Woods was following his every move around the North Course at Oakland Hills.
A photo emerged from one social media account of Woods walking the course without his leg sleeve on.
It’s the first time Woods’ leg has been pictured in public without the sleeve on since his horror car crash in Los Angeles in February 2021.
Woods jetted back home over the weekend after missing the cut at last week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.
The one positive was that it allowed him to be back in good time to watch his son compete in the first round of the 2024 US Junior Amateur.
One video on social media showed Tiger watching his son intently from behind the 1st tee on Monday morning.
There were said to have been around 200 to 250 people watching Charlie’s group.
Scroll below to watch the video of Charlie hitting his opening tee shot at the 2024 US Junior Amateur in front of his father…
According to an Associated Press report of Charlie’s first round at the 2024 US Junior Amateur, the anguish of an opening 82 was etched all over his face at the end of the round.
“Charlie Woods covered his face with his cap after shaking hands with his playing partners on the 18th green,” read the AP report.
The young American’s opening round consisted of two birdies, seven pars, four bogeys and five double bogeys.
Both of Charlie’s birdies came on the two par-5s (5 and 12) on the North Course.
In another clip, Charlie was seen leaving a chip shot short of the pin and the ball rolled back towards him down the slope as he tipped his cap over his eyes.
Charlie Woods’ first round scorecard
Tough start for Charlie Woods at the 2024 US Junior Amateur
The 2024 US Junior Amateur consists of 36 holes of stroke play from 22-23 July, and then the top 64 players compete in a match play bracket starting on 24 July.
Given 2-over par is currently T67 on the leaderboard, Charlie’s hopes of advancing to the next round of match play on Wednesday would appear slim to none.
He will still want to give it his all on the South Course on Tuesday though as he looks to gain as much experience as possible in his biggest golf amateur test yet.
Tyler Watts currently leads after shooting a 5-under 65 on the North Course.
Tiger Woods was just 14 years old when he first qualified for the US Junior Amateur.
Former World No.1 Woods advanced to the semi-final on his first attempt in 1990.
A year later in 1991, he went on to win the tournament at Bay Hill.
Woods is still the only player to win the US Junior Amateur in three consecutive years – 1991, 1992 and 1993.
The only other player to win the US Junior Amateur more than once is Jordan Spieth – 2009 and 2011.
Woods then went on to win the US Amateur three straight years in 1994, 1995 and 1996.
He then won his first major at The Masters by a record 12 shots at Augusta National in 1997.
Woods has gone on to win 15 career major titles, which is three shy of major record holder Jack Nicklaus with 18.
Woods missed the cut at The Open last week
Many critics believe Woods will never win again.
Woods had a horror car crash in 2021 and was fortunate to still be alive.
His legs and ankles were left battered and bruised, and while he has recovered well, the battle wounds are stil there for all to see.
The picture towards the top of this article reflects just how much of a scar Woods still has, and likely always will, on his right leg.
Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie has questioned why Woods is still even bothering to compete with the world’s best.
In an interview with The Times of London, Montgomerie, 61, said: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him.”
He added: “There is none of that now. At Pinehurst [for the US Open], he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon, and he won’t enjoy it there either.”
Woods has vowed to fight on despite calls to retire
When pressed on Monty’s comments during The Open last week, Woods hit back strongly at the Scot without a major title to his name.
Woods was asked by one reporter if what Monty said was ‘hurtful’.
“Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60,” Woods said of still competing in The Open.
“Colin‘s not. He’s not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do.”
Woods added: “So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he
Woods has refused to give in and vowed to be at next year’s Open at Royal Portrush.
He currently has a record-tying 82 PGA Tour titles to his name with late great Sam Snead.
Woods has played in just five tournaments this season as he continues his recovery.
Sadly, Woods’ results have proven a tough watch.
Woods did set a new consecutive cuts made record (24) at The Masters in Aprill, but he would go on to finish solo 60th in last place of those that did make the weekend at Augusta National.
He was forced to withdraw from his comeback event at the Genesis Invitational, and he missed the cut at the US PGA, the US Open and last week’s Open where he slumped to rounds of 79 and 77 for a 14-over par total at Royal Troon.
