PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL — Charlie Woods, the son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, demonstrated remarkable short-game prowess during the opening round of the American Junior Golf Association's Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on September 4. The 17-year-old golfer impressed spectators with his performance on the iconic Players Stadium Course, known for its challenging layout and the famous 17th hole, often referred to as the "Island Green."
Woods concluded the first round with a score of 1-under 71, which placed him tied for eighth position at the time he finished, just before a weather delay halted play. His scorecard featured five birdies and four bogeys, leaving him three strokes behind the leaders, Esteban Llorente of Colombia, who was at 4-under through 12 holes, and Giuseppe Puebla from Royal Palm Beach, who was at 3-under through 13.
Starting his round at the 10th hole, Woods faced an early challenge with bogeys at the 11th and 14 holes. However, he quickly regained momentum by making birdies at the 15th and 16th holes, setting the stage for his play on the renowned 17th hole. With a challenging 134-yard shot to the green, Woods initially feared his ball might find the water, but it landed safely, much to the delight of the fans who signaled him to continue.
Despite the tricky position of his ball, which had rolled down a footpath leading to the green, Woods executed a skillful chip shot that barely made it onto the putting surface. The ball rolled to a stop just four feet from the hole, allowing him to secure a par. This moment echoed the legacy of his father, who famously made a 60-foot putt for birdie on the same hole during the 2001 Players Championship, a feat that has since been immortalized as the "Better than Most" putt.
In addition to his impressive play, Charlie Woods is part of a unique group of golfers competing in the Junior Players Championship, as he is one of four sons of past Players winners participating in the event. Others include Dru Love, son of Davis Love III, Tyler McCumber, son of Mark McCumber, and Cameron Kuchar, son of Matt Kuchar. This connection to golfing excellence adds an intriguing layer to the competition.
Woods finished his front nine on a high note, sinking an 18-foot putt for birdie at the par-4 18th hole. This putt propelled him into a tie for second at 1-under par at that moment. His score of 71 marked a significant improvement from his previous performances at the Stadium Course, where he tied for 31st last year with rounds of 76-75-72.
Looking ahead, Charlie Woods is set to tee off at No. 1 at 10 a.m. ET for the second round on Saturday, September 5. The final round of the Junior Players Championship will take place on Sunday, September 6, as Woods aims to build on his strong start and further develop his skills on this prestigious stage.
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