Just a week after a bruising showing at the U.S. Junior Amateur, Charlie Woods is back at it—this time, in a national spotlight. The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods is skipping the chance to defend his South Florida PGA Junior Cup title this week, opting instead to play in the prestigious Junior PGA Championship at Purdue University in Indiana.
The Junior PGA Championship is one of the premier events in all of junior golf, boasting a 156-player field on the boys’ side and a parallel girls’ tournament running simultaneously. While Charlie’s decision to skip his local title defense in Florida may raise some eyebrows, his sights are clearly set higher.
From Florida Favorite to National Debut
This will be Charlie’s first-ever appearance in the Junior PGA Championship, and he’s stepping into some serious company. The boys’ field, set to tee off Tuesday at Purdue’s Ackerman-Allen Course, includes some of the top-ranked junior talent in the country—Miles Russell, Luke Colton, and others ready to make their mark.
It’s also worth noting that this is the same event where Tiger Woods finished runner-up during his own junior career, setting a historical precedent that only ups the intrigue around Charlie’s debut.
While defending a local trophy would’ve been the safe, familiar route, this move signals that the younger Woods is ready to test himself on a bigger stage, even after a tough week in Dallas.
Rebounding From Dallas
Charlie’s last outing at the U.S. Junior Amateur ended early. He posted a rough 81 in the first round at Brook Hollow, followed by a much sharper 74 at Trinity Forest. But by then, the damage was done. He missed the cut and didn’t advance to match play.
It was a learning moment—and a painful one—but true to the Woods legacy, Charlie’s not backing down. He’s back in action, facing tougher competition, and showing he’s not afraid to climb the ladder the hard way.
What to Expect at Purdue
The format is familiar: stroke play, just like the pros. After 36 holes, the top 60 and ties will make the cut and play two final rounds. It’s a deep field, but there’s no Hamilton Coleman—the reigning U.S. Junior Am champ—on the tee sheet. That leaves plenty of room for someone new to shine.
Whether Charlie finds his rhythm or fights through another tough week, it’s clear he’s not here to coast. He’s here to challenge himself.
