In the vast green expanse, the young sapling Charlie Woods is still struggling to reach the heights of his father’s legacy. While Tiger Woods grapples with his challenges after his car accident in 2021. The 15 YO in an attempt to follow his father’s shadow into the golf world, has been stern on the dream of qualifying for the 2024 US Open.
After failing to qualify for the Cognizant Classic in February, the high schooler still managed to garner attention to his round in Florida. He then played in his first U.S. Open 18-hole local qualifier on Thursday in Port St. Lucie. But, it looks like Tiger Woods’ cursed game has been cast upon Charlie Woods too, as he failed to qualify, yet again!
Charlie Woods’ performance at the pre-tournament qualifier
Charlie Woods underwent severe competition in the field. added with the disadvantage of an exceptionally difficult course. He shot a nine-over 81 at The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club, and well, with this score, he lost his chance to earn a spot at the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club No. 2 in North Carolina in June. Flushing It Golf took to their official X (formerly Twitter) account and shared a snap from the greens with Charlie Woods aiming for his putt, and Tiger Woods stayed behind as his caddie. Breaking the news, they wrote, “Charlie Woods shot a 9 over 81 today in his attempt to qualify for the US Open at Pinehurst. This comes on the back of an 86 at pre-qualifying for the Cognizant Classic on the PGA Tour back in February.”
He started with a disappointing start, carding off with a bogey on his opening hole, the par-4 first, followed by a double bogey on the second hole. However, he slowly started catching up, as he carded two pars, which were followed by his only birdie, on the front nine at the 195-yard par-3 fifth. But bad luck followed right after, as he got another double bogey, which had already brought him down to 4-over 40. Although he finished off with three double bogeys and four bogeys for the entire round, on the sunny side, he did manage to record 10 par holes.
Charlie Woods finished off at the 61st position in the field, among the 74 golfers who were all vying for the major tournament. Alas, only the top 6 players are to receive an invitation and Junior Woods is far from it.
Golf Community labels Charlie Woods ‘not ready’
After receiving rowdy scrutiny on his performance at the Cognizant Classic, the golf community once again dubs Charlie Woods as overrated. They have made it a point to constantly state that his shots and scores are covered only because he is the son of the golfing legend, otherwise, he would have been nowhere on the news.
One of them took to the fact that he has not even been able to perform averagely well on the greens, and there are several other junior players better than him, like Gordon Sargent who is known to drive the ball at an average of 185-190 mph. One of them wrote, “There are SO many kids who are better than these two, understand why they get the attention but Charlie wasn’t even the best player on his team”.
Miles Russell, who is also dubbed as Charlie Woods’ biggest rival, not only broke Tiger Woods’ record becoming the top-ranked AJGA player before turning 15, but also led an amazing round at the Korn Ferry Tour. Charlie Woods was not even qualified for it, and Russel managed to bag 6-under 66 tying for the 26th position. Taking to his noteworthy performance, one of them wrote in comparison, “Hmm there’s a 15-year-old on the Kornferry tour shooting 66 and making the cut but you cover tigers kid for clicks SMH”.
While one of the followers, criticizing and mocking him out the front left a comment of satire stating, “I could shoot an 81 too…on the front 9”, another expressing the same emotion as the above simply wrote, “He ain’t ready. There are kids far better than him his age and younger. If he wasn’t Tiger Woods kid, most people wouldn’t know who he is. Lookup Miles Russell. Also 15 and is much better than Charlie.”
However, some of the fans even empathized with him, talking about the heartbreak and pressure the 15 YO must have on his shoulders. While one of them, sending out sympathies for him and the son of the USC legend Jame LeBrone wrote, “Charlie and Bronny James have to deal with outside noise-very tough when dad is GOAT”, another simply commented, “Leave him alone! If he does something great; report on that. Who cares when he doesn’t play well? That’s golf! Are you going to report on all the other players that didn’t qualify either???”
Well, according to the criteria for qualifying for the Majors, although Charlie Woods failed to make it through the field, he still stands a chance to receive a special exemption to play from the USGA. Now that entirely depends on his position and gameplay. Whether he will still be able to make it to the greens of the 124th US Open, or does he have to wait another year to get there? Stay tuned to find out!
