Tiger Woods‘ son, Charlie, is aspiring to become a professional golfer via a Professional Golfers’ Association of America [PGA] tournament.
If successful, the son of the 82-time PGA Tour winner will be just 15 years and 21 days old, surpassing his father, who played his first Tour event at the age of 16.
Tiger Woods’ Son Aims For His PGA Tour Debut
The PGA Tour announced on its website Wednesday that Charlie will participate in a PGA Tour pre-qualifier on Thursday, with hopes of competing in the Cognizant Classic in Florida from February 29 to March 3.
To that end, the teenager will be playing at Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, which is one of four pre-qualifying sites for the Classic. Following this, 25 players will progress to a full qualifier on Monday, where four will earn the chance to tee off in the Cognizant Classic alongside professionals such as the current world No. 2 Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler.
To register for a PGA Tour pre-qualifier, players must maintain a handicap index of 2 or better — a requirement that Charlie meets with flying colors with a +3 handicap index with the Florida State Golf Association.
The younger Woods is scheduled to tee off at 7:39 a.m. ET on Thursday, paired with Olin Browne Jr. — the son of three-time TOUR winner Olin Browne — and Ruaidhri McGee.
Charlie showcased his skills in last fall’s Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship, with his dad serving as his caddie for all 54 holes. Charlie finished T17 in the Boys 14-15 division, which included an impressive final-round score of 68. He earned qualification for the event by posting rounds of 71-66 at a September qualifier in Florida.
It is also worth mentioning that the 15-year-old has previously teamed up with Tiger in the two-player PNC Championship, where teams consist of a major champion and a family member. According to reports, the father-son duo secured a second-place finish in the event.
Tiger Woods Ended His Contract With Nike Weeks Before His Son’s PGA Tour Debut
The news of Charlie’s attempt to overtake his father’s PGA Tour pre-qualifier status comes more than a month after the latter parted ways with Nike. The legendary golfer, whose partnership with the fashion brand began nearly 30 years ago, took to X to share:
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world. The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.”
Recognizing Phil Knight, the visionary responsible for Nike’s triumphs, Tiger expressed:
“Phil Knight’s passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I want to personally thank him, along with the Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way.”
He wrapped up the statement with a subtle message about his future, writing: “People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA!”
The update did not go unnoticed by Tiger’s fans, who promptly voiced their opinions about it in the replies. “End of an era,” one person wrote, while another declared, “Nike not resigning the goat is crazy,” and a third dubbed the announcement “a great post.”
A fourth X user claimed, “Good for you, Tiger, you’re next move should be LIV golf, PGA tour is done,” a fifth speculated, “He’s just gonna come out with his own sponsorship or brand,” and a sixth lengthily gushed:
“What a round it was! Golf is changing again. And you did so much good for the sport together with Nike, and Tiger. Thank you for that, and all the best for the future!”