Tiger Woods has opened up about his 15-year-old son, Charlie, following their second-place finish at the PNC Championship. Despite falling short to Team Langer in a playoff, Woods couldn’t help but beam with pride at Charlie’s development both on and off the course.
When asked what stood out most about Charlie’s game, Woods was quick to highlight his son’s progress.
“He’s gotten better at every facet of the game,” Woods remarked. “That’s a commitment to practicing and developing as a player. I think most of us forget he’s only 15 years old.”
Charlie’s skills, maturity, and composure on the course have drawn significant attention, but Woods was adamant about keeping perspective.
“The ceiling that he has is unlimited,” he said, emphasizing Charlie’s potential while reminding critics that his son is still just a teenager.
“I wish I hit it that far and that good. I definitely did not do that at his age.”
However, the father-son dynamic brought humor into the equation.
“Dad, I didn’t win as many tournaments as you did,” Charlie said.
Woods responded with a laugh: “I made a couple putts.”
Balancing fame and expectations
The legacy of Tiger Woods casts a long shadow, and comparisons between father and son have been inevitable. At 15, Tiger was already making history, including winning the U.S. Junior Amateur. But Charlie’s journey is unfolding in a vastly different era, one dominated by social media and constant public scrutiny.
Reflecting on his own teenage years, Tiger noted the stark contrast.
“I didn’t have this much attention. We didn’t have social media. We didn’t have camera phones. It was kind of hearsay amongst neighbors,” Woods said.
In his youth, he juggled high school golf with encounters with legends like Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson.
Charlie, by comparison, faces a media landscape where every swing, step, and interaction is documented and shared. Crowds now gather even at his school tournaments, waiting for a chance to watch him play.
Despite the heightened attention, Woods is focused on helping Charlie navigate the challenges of fame. He’s adamant that Charlie be recognized for his own accomplishments rather than as “Tiger Woods’ son.”
“The type of attention is very different than what I had,” Woods acknowledged. “But he’s learning to handle it in his way. I’m proud of how he carries himself.”
