Charlie Woods earned his way to his first USGA championship on Wednesday when the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods posted the leading score among qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur in Oakland Hills next month.
Charlie Woods recovered from a bogey-double bogey start at Eagle Trace Golf Club to finish with a 1-under 71 to become a medalist from his qualifier, one of four players to qualify from the venue.
“I didn’t play great my first two holes, but the last 16 holes I played really well. I told myself not to make any more bogeys or doubles and I took advantage of some nice birdie looks when I had them,” says Woods. said.
Tiger Woods was 14 when he qualified for his first US Junior and reached the semi-finals. Woods won his first US Junior Amateur a year later at Bay Hill in 19 holes. Woods is the only player to win the US Junior three times in a row.
Players must be under 19 before the championship ends.
The US Junior Amateur takes place from July 22 to 28 in Oakland Hills in suburban Detroit. Woods will be one of 264 players who will go through 36 holes of stroke play on the North and South courses at Oakland Hills to determine which 64 players will advance to match play.
Tiger Woods is a nine-time USGA champion: three consecutive US Junior Amateurs, three consecutive US Amateurs and three US Open titles.
“The USGA means a lot to me,” said Charlie Woods. “I want to win USGA championships and hopefully one day the US Open.”