2024 U.S. Junior Amateur is Son Charlie’s Last Resort to Fill in Tiger Woods’s Mighty Shoes – Here’s Why

So far, the 2024 season has been underwhelming for 15-year-old Charlie Woods. On the one hand, there has been pressure to be the best junior, and on the other, he has to follow in his father’s footsteps and, if not all, at least achieve some of his accomplishments. But so far, things have certainly not gone in his favor.

In his last start, the 15-year-old played the Future Masters in the 15–18 age category at the Dothan Country Club. It was hoped that Woods would play better than he had at previous events but that did not turn out to be the case. The event was cut short to 36 holes because of inclement weather, and Woods Jr. scored 73-76 in two rounds and finished T101. He was way far from the winner and disappointed the fans who expected better.

A great result at the Future Masters would have proved to be the perfect momentum for Woods going into the 2024 US Junior Amateur. As for having a father who has consecutively won the event from 1991 to 1993, a similar kind of performance would be expected from the young prodigy. Thus, in a way one could say that at his USGA debut, Woods has the last chance to prove his golfing skills and prove to the golf world that he will carry forward his father’s illustrious legacy.

On top of that, with the pressure of being the son of arguably the best golfer, Woods also has to catch up to his fellow young golfers. Junior golfers like Miles Russell and Kris Kim have been making headlines, unlike Charlie Woods, who has yet to show himself as a worthy rival of the two.

The added pressure on Charlie Woods from fellow juniors

Let’s reel back to the start of the 2024 season. In February, the 15-year-old tried his hands at the Cognizant Classic’s pre-qualifiers. It would have been his PGA Tour debut if he had carded a better round. However, he shot 86, making 12 at the 7th hole, and was out of the race.

Then, nearly two months later, the junior golfer made another attempt to qualify for the 124th U.S. Open that was scheduled to take place at Pinehurst. Charlie Woods played at the Legacy Golf and Tennis Club in Florida hoping to make it through. However, the result at the U.S. Open qualifier was similar to what he had in February. He shot 9 over 81 to be T61 and missed another qualifier.

It has been a difficult journey for Woods to make it on the PGA Tour. However, on the other hand, Miles Russell made history as he became the youngest to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. Russell also teed off at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Kris Kim became the youngest junior golfer on the PGA Tour in 11 years to make the cut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Given that Kim and Russell will be in the U.S. Junior Amateur challenging Woods, he would have the last chance to show his prowess in golf and come out as a better player.

Indeed, Charlie Woods has many things on stake, but with the guidance of his father, Tiger Woods, the 15-year-old may overpower others at the 2024 US Junior Amateur Field.