Charlie Woods, Son of Tiger Woods, Struggles in Pre-Qualifying Event for Cognizant Classic
The golf world has been buzzing with excitement as Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, made his debut in the pre-qualifying event for the upcoming Cognizant Classic. Held at the picturesque Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, this event serves as a stepping stone for aspiring golfers to make their mark on the PGA Tour. However, Charlie’s performance left much to be desired, as he struggled to find his rhythm and finished with a disappointing 16-over par.
The young Woods started his round in the second group alongside Olin Browne Jr. and Ruaidhri McGee, teeing off at 7:39 a.m. ET on Thursday morning. Despite the early start, Charlie found himself in trouble right from the beginning, recording a pair of bogeys in the first four holes. Things took a turn for the worse when he carded a double bogey on the par-5 fifth hole, putting him at 12-over par.
As if the challenging course wasn’t enough, Charlie also had to contend with an over-eager group of fans who seemed to disregard tournament etiquette. The Palm Beach Post described them as “over-eager at best,” as they walked too close to Woods on the fairway, ignoring repeated requests from tournament officials to stay on the cart path. One disgruntled fan even went as far as demanding Charlie sign a copy of his father’s book, “How I Play Golf,” causing a commotion that disrupted his concentration.
Despite these distractions, Charlie managed to salvage some pride on the back-nine, recording two bogeys, a double bogey, and six pars to finish with a total score of 86. While it may not have been the result he was hoping for, this experience will undoubtedly serve as a valuable learning opportunity for the young golfer. Having already played in the prestigious PNC Championships alongside his father and achieved success at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship, Charlie is no stranger to high-pressure situations.
Looking ahead, Charlie will have more opportunities to prove himself on the golf course. The Cognizant Classic, formerly known as the Honda Classic, features five pre-qualifying sites, and the top 25 players and ties from each site will advance to a final qualifying event. From there, only four players will secure their spot in the tournament, which will take place from February 29 to March 3 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The 2024 Cognizant Classic promises to be an exciting event, with a staggering $9 million purse and $1.62 million going to the winner. Some of the biggest names in golf, including Rory McIlroy, Tom Kim, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, and defending champion Chris Kirk, have already committed to participating in the tournament. While Charlie may not have made it this time, his determination and talent suggest that he could be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
As the golf world eagerly awaits the next chapter in Charlie Woods’ journey, it is clear that he is following in his father’s footsteps while carving out his own path. With each swing of the club, he is inching closer to making a name for himself and carrying on the Woods legacy in the world of golf.