Tiger Woods’s injury update came this March, announcing he underwent surgery for his torn Achilles. With a lack of updates, the golfer is as absent as ever on the course. However, that is not the case for his son, Charlie Woods, who is set on making noise in his father’s absence. Following a disappointing performance at the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in March, the Jr. Woods turned the tide by registering his first AJGA win at the Team TaylorMade Invitational just two months later. So, what does he do? He celebrates his father’s presence in life following the stunning performance.
In his fifth American Junior Golf Association event, Charlie Woods started the final round one shot behind leader Luke Colton. He recorded two bogeys and eight birdies, finishing with a six-under-par 66 on the Black Course at Streamsong Resort, bringing his total to 15 under for the week. And so, he celebrated his first AJGA event by thanking his father.
After the win at the 2025 Team TaylorMade Invitational, Charlie Woods wrote to his father, “Thank you, dad, for believing in me in times where I didn’t even believe in myself, and for all the times where you have supported me no matter what I do. Even though we argue a lot, I still cherish every moment, and I would just like to say, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Thanks to the win, Charlie Woods climbed 595 places from No. 609 to No. 14 in the AJGA Boys Rankings. Not only had Woods been winless in AJGA events before this, but he also faced tough competition against 70 other top juniors, including players ranked No. 1, No. 5, and No. 7. And he appreciates every bit of it.
Following the win, he said, “Now I can say I have one, and Dad can’t say I don’t; that definitely helps in the argument between him and I. Just to say I’ve done it and I can, I’ve proved it to myself. It feels so good, especially since it was an invitational.”
Tiger Woods has always been supportive of his son. In 2021, the first episode of A Round With Tiger: Celebrity Playing Lessons included a key moment when Jada Pinkett asked Tiger Woods if he trains Charlie. He responded, “No! He just watches me do it, and then he kind of does it,” while agreeing with Pinkett that his son is “a natural.”
However, Tiger Woods has always emphasized the importance of Charlie Woods maintaining his own personality. In a 2022 interview for the On the Another Golf Podcast, he said, “He’s a kid. Don’t compare him to me because he’s not me. He’s Charlie.” And, hey, Tiger Woods may be absent from the course, but something in Charlie Woods reminds us of him.
Tiger Woods does not want to put any “pressure” on Charlie Woods
Charlie Woods is showing qualities like his father during and after his recent AJGA win, displaying great composure and humility. After the win, he mentioned that he didn’t check the leaderboard at all, which shows his strong focus. His caddie even told him on the 18th fairway, “You make par here, you’re going to be fine.” Charlie’s coach at the Benjamin School, Toby Harbeck, pointed out that Charlie can be hard on himself, but this trait could help him succeed if he uses it positively.
In a 2022 interview, Ernie Els talked about Tiger Woods’s focus on the course: “He wasn’t there to mess around. He didn’t play too many events, but when he played, he was ready to go.” Charlie Woods is likely taking after his father!
On the other hand, Tiger Woods knows that high expectations come with a lot of attention, and he wants to protect Charlie from that pressure. “When I grew up, there were no camera phones, there were no videos. I try to shoo people away, ‘Let him enjoy, don’t put any pressure on him, let him play, let him be a kid, OK?’” Tiger said.
He wants Charlie to succeed in a supportive environment without the stress of fame. “He’s going to be his own person… I just want him to do the best at it.” What do you think of the GOAT’s thoughts on his son?
