Tiger Woods’ 15-year-old son Charlie will seek US Open qualification.
His father’s name has an important place in the history of the US Open. On Thursday, Charlie Woods plans to write his own chapter.
Tiger Woods’ 15-year-old son will compete in an 18-hole local qualifier in Port St. Lucie, Florida, as one of 84 players seeking a spot in the 124th major.
The top five finishers at The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club will advance to the second and final qualifying stage, known as ‘Golf’s Longest Day,’ which will take place in May and June at 36-hole competitions in ten US and three overseas venues.
The top 50 players in the world, including reigning winner Wyndham Clark, will be exempt for the third men’s major of the season on June 13 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina.
After competing with his 82-time PGA Tour-winning father in four PNC Championships—an unofficial team event on the PGA Tour Champions—the young Woods had his first taste of Tour qualifying in February, when he teed up in a pre-qualifier for the Cognizant Classic.
The adolescent blasted a 16-over par 86 in front of a large crowd at Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, failing to advance to the next level.
Woods is one of 10,052 aspirants from all 50 states and 70 other countries who have entered the US Open qualifying this year. They must have a handicap of no more than 0.4 or be professionals to be eligible.
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The USGA reports that Beck Patrick, a 12-year-old from Houston, Texas, and Keith Crimp, a 74-year-old from Washington, are the youngest and oldest golfers competing at Pinehurst.
Last year, Woods’ father withdrew from the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club due to ankle surgery, preventing him from competing for a fourth title.
The 15-time major winner won his first in historically overwhelming fashion in 2000, finishing 15 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor at Pebble Beach. It is still the highest margin of victory in any of the four major championships for men.
He won two more titles in 2002 and 2008 but never in Pinehurst, finishing tied for third and second in 1999 and 2005, respectively, before withdrawing from the 2014 tournament due to a back ailment.
Despite ongoing physical challenges, the 48-year-old golfer reached the cut at The Masters for the 24th time in a row earlier this month.
Woods finished 60th after 100 rounds at Augusta National, 27 strokes behind champion Scottie Scheffler.
With four wins in his previous five starts, world No. 1 Scheffler is demonstrating dominance not seen since Woods’ peak. He is expected to add to his two major titles at Pinehurst in June.
Woods has not officially been included in the field, although the USGA may grant him a special exemption to compete.
