Tiger Woods' Son Charlie Suffers Disappointing Career Setback

The 17-year-old finished in last place at the 2026 Junior Invitational, a major amateur golf tournament.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:34am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Charlie Woods, the son of golf legend Tiger Woods, had a disappointing showing at the 2026 Junior Invitational, finishing in last place and shooting 26 over par. The tournament is considered one of the biggest events of the year for amateur golfers, and the winner, Miles Russell, is also committed to Charlie's college of choice, Florida State.

Why it matters

Charlie Woods has been touted as a rising star in golf, following in the footsteps of his famous father. This poor performance at a major tournament raises questions about the challenges of living up to high expectations and the pressures of being the son of a golfing icon.

The details

Charlie Woods shot a 4-over 76 in the first round, but things went downhill from there, with an 11-over 83 in the third round and an 8-over 80 in the final round. The tournament winner, Miles Russell, shot 15-under par and is also committed to Florida State, where Charlie will be playing next year.

  • The 2026 Junior Invitational took place over the weekend in Graniteville, South Carolina.

The players

Charlie Woods

The 17-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, who is a two-time state champion and ranked No. 20 in the American Junior Golf Association rankings.

Tiger Woods

A 50-year-old golfing icon who is still recovering from an Achilles injury that cost him the entire 2025 season, but has not ruled out playing in The Masters next month.

Miles Russell

The No. 1-ranked player in the American Junior Golf Association rankings, who won the 2026 Junior Invitational with a 15-under par score and is also committed to Florida State University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Despite the disappointing performance, Charlie Woods still has a couple notable tournament wins on his amateur resume, including the 2025 Team TaylorMade Invitational and the 2024 SFPGA Jr. Cup. His commitment to Florida State University next year will be a key next step in his golfing career.

The takeaway

This setback for Charlie Woods highlights the immense pressure and expectations that come with being the son of a golfing legend like Tiger Woods. While he has shown promise in the past, this poor performance at a major amateur tournament serves as a reminder that even the most talented young golfers can struggle to live up to their famous family name.