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Only once in the history of the game of golf has there been a 16-year-old male who has faced as much pressure and scrutiny as Charlie Woods. That golfer’s name, coincidentally, was Tiger Woods.
The son of the 15-time major champion and golf legend has been in the spotlight for several years, with fans and media outlets scrutinizing his every move. But Charlie Woods’ latest performance – as impressive as it may be – shows us why everyone just needs to take a second to relax.
Charlie Woods Is Having A Great Showing At Junior PGA Championship
While Charlie Woods has always been a great golfer for his age, he’s really seemed to find a new level in the past year. Last December, he made his first career hole-in-one while playing alongside his father at the PNC Championship.
Then in May, he won his first career American Junior Golf Association championship when he toppled some of the best young players in the country to win the Team Tailor Made Invitational.
This week, Woods is playing in his first career Junior PGA Championship. But he’s not just playing in the event; he’s thriving. Through three rounds, Woods sits at 12-under and second on the leaderboard.
Woods trails only leader Lunden Esterline, who shot a jaw-dropping 10-under, 62 on Wednesday to take a commanding lead. Esterline sits at 19-under for the tournament, seven shots clear of the field.
“It was pretty up and down, but nine birdies is pretty good,” Woods said after a third-round 66. “Had a couple of three-putts, I made a few mistakes today, but overall a pretty solid round, and I’m in a good position going into tomorrow.
“I just enjoy being out there and having fun, playing well,” he added. “Hopefully I have a good chance of winning tomorrow.”
It Hasn’t All Been Easy For Charlie Woods
Like any other 16-year-old, Woods has faced a number of ups and downs.
One week ago, he had a disastrous start to the U.S. Junior Amateur, sitting in a tie for 241st out of 264 golfers after shooting an 11-over, 81 in the first round at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas.
Unsurprisingly, that was not enough to make the cut. But it just goes to show how volatile the game of golf is, especially for young players.
Should Woods finish second this week at the Junior PGA, he’d secure a spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team for the first time.
So while everybody wants Charlie Woods to be some sort of insane prodigy and win everything every time out like his father, maybe it’s time to just back off and let the kid progress at his own rate?