By A Packed House Sports Correspondent
May 28, 2025 — For the first time in years, the name “Woods” topped a competitive leaderboard—and this time, it wasn’t Tiger.
Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, captured his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) title in commanding fashion on Wednesday at the Team TaylorMade Invitational at Streamsong Resort in Florida. With a final round blitz that echoed the competitive fire of his father, Charlie closed out the three-day event at 15-under par, winning by three strokes over a talented field of junior golfers, including AJGA’s top-ranked player.
From his opening round—an erratic but effective 2-under 70 marked by just three pars—to a lights-out 65 on Tuesday, Woods positioned himself just one shot off the lead heading into the final day. On Wednesday, he proved he was ready to seize the moment.
Charlie’s final round began with early turbulence—a birdie followed by a bogey—but he quickly found his rhythm. Over the next nine holes, he reeled off six birdies, opening up a three-shot lead. A bogey at 13 threatened to shift momentum, but Woods responded in spectacular fashion, driving the 298-yard 14th green and sinking a birdie putt. He held steady through the final stretch and clinched the title with a composed par on the par-5 18th, carding a 6-under 66.
The victory came not just against high-level peers but against pressure that few juniors can imagine—playing under the weight of the Woods name. Still, Charlie is forging his own path, albeit with lessons from a father who knows a thing or two about winning.
Tiger Woods has often spoken publicly about guiding his son’s mental game. After one particularly volatile junior round a few years ago, Tiger offered this advice: “That next shot should be the most important shot in your life. It should be more important than breathing.” It’s the kind of wisdom only a 15-time major champion could give—and one that Charlie seems to have taken to heart.
Charlie Woods entered the week as the AJGA’s No. 606, with his previous best finish a modest tie for 25th back in March. That resume just got a serious upgrade.
Though he hasn’t yet announced a college commitment, Woods is likely to have his pick of top-tier programs. For now, though, he can savor this milestone win—possibly the first of many in a promising career just beginning to take shape.
While comparisons to Tiger will be inevitable, Charlie’s breakthrough victory serves as a statement: he’s not just Tiger’s son—he’s a rising star in his own right.