Charlie Woods Steps Into His Spotlight With First AJGA Win—and a Message for Dad
In the premiere episode of A Round With Tiger: Celebrity Playing Lessons back in 2021, Jada Pinkett asked Tiger Woods a simple question—does he train his son, Charlie? Tiger laughed and replied, “No! He just watches me do it, and then he kind of does it.” Even then, Tiger acknowledged what many already suspected: Charlie Woods is a natural.
That instinctive talent just turned into a milestone moment. Charlie Woods, now 16, claimed his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in Florida. In just his fifth AJGA start, Charlie overcame a one-shot deficit in the final round to win by three strokes, securing victory at Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green. His best result before this? A tie for 25th at Sage Valley in March. But something was different this time.
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After the win, Charlie beamed with pride and a bit of friendly fire. “Now I can say I have one, and Dad can’t say I don’t; that definitely helps in the argument between him and I,” he said. “Just to say I’ve done it and I can, I’ve proved it to myself. It feels so good, especially since it was an invitational.”
This wasn’t just about golf—it was about identity. About proving he’s not just “Tiger’s kid,” but a competitor in his own right. And yet, this achievement doesn’t come without the unmistakable influence of Tiger Woods. The two have competed side by side at the PNC Championship five times. They’ve laughed, challenged each other, and even traded jabs. That family rivalry may have been part of what lit the fire for this latest win.
Tiger’s approach to Charlie’s development has been markedly different from his own father, Earl Woods. While Earl was intense and controlling, Tiger has taken a supportive and patient route. He encourages Charlie to explore the game on his terms—his swing, his rhythm, his goals. There’s no forceful coaching, no rigid training regimens. Just quiet guidance and trust.
And that trust runs deep. At the 2024 U.S. Open, it was Charlie who stepped into the role of his father’s swing coach. Tiger said it best: “I trust him with my swing and my game. He’s seen it more than anybody else in the world.”
Charlie’s win is more than a headline—it’s a statement. A declaration that he’s forging a path forward, not in Tiger’s shadow, but alongside his legacy. And while Tiger’s hands-off style may have surprised some, it’s clearly working. By stepping back, Tiger gave Charlie the space to rise.
For now, Charlie Woods isn’t chasing his father’s records. He’s chasing his own greatness. And this AJGA title? Just the beginning.