Charlie Woods seems to have had an early introduction to the unsteadiness of the game of golf. His happiness about qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur next month at Oakland Hills has been diluted by an unprecedented setback, caused by the inconsistent weather. This seems to have become a roadblock to fulfilling his dreams to “win USGA Championships and hopefully one day the U.S. Open.”
Shortly after the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, the curse of the weather gods now seems to have transferred to the juniors game, specifically the Press Thornton Future Masters Golf Tournament in Dothan, Alabama, where Tiger Woods’s 15-year-old son was teeing it up.
The 15 to 18-year age group event was cut down halfway to 36 holes, following the inclement weather, leaving Woods Jr. tied for 103rd. Ben Shedd won the event, and Brantley Moore was the runner-up. Out of the two rounds that nature allowed these talented juniors to play, the young cub shot a first round of 73, followed by a second and sadly last round of 76, totaling up his final score to 149.
Sadly for Charlie Woods, he could not repeat the qualifier charm that led him to make his way to his first USGA event by shooting 1-under par on a 71-par course at the Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida. “I didn’t play great my first two holes, but I played really good for the last 16. I just told myself not to make any more bogeys or doubles and I took advantage of some nice birdie looks when I had them,” Charlie said reflecting on his game.
It seems Junior Woods will have to switch up his style before his USGA debut if he is to beat the long-standing weather curse and get over this Alabama heartbreak he just suffered. But what about his father’s luck at the USGA as a junior? Will young Woods be able to beat his father Tiger Woods‘ record?
Did Tiger Woods have a better welcome to the USGA as a junior than his son, Charlie?
Father Woods started his career as his first U.S. Junior at the age of 14. At 15, the PGA Tour Hall of Famer managed to earn his first win at the U.S. Junior Amateur at Bay Hill. Soon he became the only player in history to win the U.S. Junior three straight times. While Charlie has had a slightly delayed start and he has a long legacy to live up to. He can learn from his Future Masters in Alabama mistake and improve his game next month in Michigan.
Earlier this year, Charlie also attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open but was met with disappointment. His upcoming feat in Detroit will expose him to 264 of the world’s finest amateur players where he will have to play 36 holes in the stroke play format on the North and South courses at Oakland Hills. It will then decide the 64 players who will move up to the match play.
With four years in hand, till he turns 19, Junior Woods has a world full of possibilities ahead of him.
