'I wish to win': Charlie Woods qualifies for U.S. Junior Novice

Golf is a household affair for Tiger Woods, and now apparently one thing else is just too: USGA Championships.

On Wednesday night, Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of the 15-time main champion, grew to become the second member of the Woods household to qualify for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. The youthful Woods shot a one-under rating of 71 to safe medalist honors on the Eagle Hint Golf Membership qualifier in Coral Springs, Fla., grabbing one among 264 spots within the area of the junior sport’s most prestigious championship.

Based on the USGA, Woods overcame a bogey-double begin within the qualifier by recording 5 birdies over his final 16 holes, ending in first place within the qualifying occasion by one shot.

“I didn’t play nice my first two holes, however I performed actually good for the final 16,” the youthful Woods mentioned Wednesday. “I simply informed myself to not make any extra bogeys or doubles and I took benefit of some good birdie seems once I had them. Placing was my largest power at present. I made loads of putts once I wanted to.”

Tiger’s solely son has reached cult ranges of fame amongst golf followers within the years following his debut on the parent-child PNC Championship. That fame has solely grown as his junior golf profession has continued to take off in Southern Florida, nevertheless it’s additionally transitioned. After Charlie’s dazzling (and eerily Tigeresque) debut introduced his golf sport into focus, the youngest Woods has shifted within the highlight, spending the final a number of months as his father’s swing coach du jour.

“I belief him with my swing and my sport,” Tiger mentioned ultimately week’s U.S. Open. “He’s seen it greater than anyone else on this planet. He’s seen me hit extra golf balls than anybody. I inform him what to search for, particularly with my placing. He gave me a pair little aspect bits at present, which was nice, as a result of I get so entrenched in hitting sure putts to sure pins, I are inclined to neglect among the issues I’m engaged on.”

If nothing else, the U.S. Junior Novice serves as a reminder that the youngest Woods’ aggressive profession forges on. Charlie has had a number of unsuccessful aggressive alternatives in latest months, together with a failed try at a Monday Qualifier into his hometown PGA Tour occasion, the Cognizant Basic. Late final yr, his highschool coach Toby Harbeck spoke with GOLF.com about his growth as a participant.

“There’s sure pins you don’t wish to go after, and he goes after every part. After I can break him of that slightly bit, he’s going to change into a a lot better participant,” Harbeck mentioned, however… “He can bomb it on the market 300-plus in a heartbeat. He’s bought a unique mode — generally it’s a pleasant straightforward swing, after which generally he places it on ultra-mode and he can simply fly it.”

Now the main focus is about to shift once more at Oakland Hills Nation Membership in Michigan, the place the youthful Woods will play for the U.S. Junior Novice, the identical occasion his father received 3 times as a junior golfer. Woods’ efficiency would be the topic of nice scrutiny in his first big-time occasion — and he says that’s simply the best way he likes it.

“It feels wonderful to qualify for my first USGA championship,” he mentioned. “The USGA means so much to me. I wish to win USGA championships and hopefully at some point the U.S. Open.”

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a information and options editor at GOLF, writing tales for the web site and journal. He manages the Scorching Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and makes use of his on-camera expertise throughout the model’s platforms. Previous to becoming a member of GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse College, throughout which period he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Lengthy Island, the place he’s from. He will be reached at [email protected].