“Wish I could see him play”- Tiger Woods gets honest about son Charlie Woods' US Junior Amateur debut
Tiger Woods' son, Charlie, is about to make his debut at the US Junior Amateur Championship. He has not been able to count on his father's advice over the last few days, but for a very good reason.
Charlie Woods will tee off at the historic Oakland Hills course on Monday, July 22. Tiger Woods will be unable to be at his side ahead of the tournament because he is on the other side of the Atlantic playing at The Open Championship.
Tiger spoke about it during his post-round press conference. Here's some of what he had to say (via ASAP Sports):
"When I'm working, I'm working. When I'm at home, away from the golf course, yeah, I do talk to him. We're working on getting his game right. Wish I could see him hit balls or play and get ready like we normally do for an event, but I'm a little bit busy this week."
Charlie Woods secured his place at the 2024 US Junior Amateur Championship via a qualifying event at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida. The event will be played from July 22-27.
The US Junior Amateur format includes two opening rounds of stroke play. The top 64 players will then compete in match play to determine the champion. The winner will earn a spot in the 2025 US Open field.
If Tiger Woods makes the cut at The Open Championship, his participation will end the day before the US Junior Amateur gets underway. Woods shot an 8-over 79 in his first round.
Tiger Woods at the US Junior Amateur Championship
Tiger Woods made his debut at the US Junior Amateur Championship when he was one year younger than Charlie, who is now 15. Woods first played at the event in 1990, and reached the semifinals.
One year later, Woods won the event and went on to repeat his triumph in 1992 and 1993. His match play record at the US Junior Amateur is 22 and 1, the best record in the history of the event.
Tiger Woods' record of nine United States Golf Association (USGA) titles includes his three US Amateur Championship titles and three US Open titles.
Woods shares this record with the legendary Bobby Jones, who won the US Open four times and the US Amateur Championship five times. However, only Woods has won the Amateur Championship three times in a row.
Woods will have the opportunity to break his tie with Bobby Jones, as he will be eligible to play at the U.S. Senior Amateur in less than two years. A victory there would give him 10 USGA titles, making him the all-time leader.