Charlie Woods is surging up the leaderboard at the 49th Junior PGA Championships in West Lafayette, Indiana. The 16-year-old son of Tiger Woods shot a 6-under 66 in Wednesday’s second round, vaulting him into fourth place at 7-under for the tournament.
His stellar round was powered by a red-hot putter and a front-nine blitz that turned heads at Purdue University’s Ackerman-Allen Course.
Woods Finds His Stroke—and the Spotlight
After opening the week with a solid, if unspectacular, 1-under round, Charlie’s putter came alive in round two. He dropped six birdies on the front nine, shooting 31 through the turn and making it clear he wasn’t just showing up for headlines—he was here to contend.
“I hit it about the same as I did in the first round,” Woods told Lafayette Journal & Courier. “But the putter finally woke up today. It felt really good in my hands, and I was able to roll a few in after some solid iron shots.”
A 66 in any junior event is impressive. Doing it under the weight of a famous name and media attention? That’s another level. But Charlie appears unfazed. If anything, he’s embracing the pressure.
“Nice to get myself back in the mix and looking forward to getting after it tomorrow,” he added.
What Putter Is Charlie Woods Using?
It’s not just Charlie Woods getting attention—it’s the putter he’s using. The younger Woods is rolling with a custom L.A.B. DF3, one of the most distinctive and technically forward-thinking putters in golf today.
L.A.B. Golf—short for Lie Angle Balance—has grown so quickly thanks to its torque-free design, aimed at keeping the putter face square through impact. In theory? More consistency. In Charlie’s case? More birdies.
And it’s not just juniors or amateurs taking notice. J.J. Spaun won the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont using a DF3, and Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson have also adopted L.A.B. putters in recent months.
The company just secured a massive $200 million investment from private equity giant L Catterton, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on July 28. Known for backing brands like Peloton and Birkenstock, L Catterton is expected to supercharge L.A.B.’s production and visibility—especially with young stars like Woods serving as de facto billboards.
Looking Ahead
Charlie Woods’ performance through two rounds at Purdue puts him squarely in contention for his first major junior title. With two rounds left, he’ll be chasing the leaders with plenty of firepower—and clearly, the right tools.
If the putter stays hot and the nerves stay cool, don’t be surprised if Woods makes Sunday headlines.
