Charlie Woods was the talk of the golf world when he played alongside his father in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the PNC Championship. His gameplay and father-like mannerisms on the course led people to believe he would be the next Tiger Woods.
Unlike his sister, Sam Woods, the 13-year-old Charlie is interested in playing golf. His passion for becoming a professional was evident in the father-son event whenever he played in Orlando.
Fans and Woods want to see him play at a PGA Tour event soon. Yet, he still plays in the Junior events like other amateur golfers. And there is not just one but many reasons for it.
Why is Charlie Woods not playing on the PGA Tour yet?
The PGA Tour gets thousands of applications from professionals and amateurs worldwide to get a ticket to play in its events. However, it is not possible to recruit everyone. The players need to win multiple amateur events or major tournaments for the Tour to take one into consideration.
The players also can get Tour membership if they can prove themselves worthy in the membership eligibility events.
Winning amateur events or having an incredible track record is one of the requirements to become a professional, let alone get a Tour membership. As a 13-year-old junior golfer, Charlie Axel Woods don’t have that. He would need to play junior events and collegiate levels to create a good portfolio.
Even Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer of all time, had to play all the amateur events before starting a career as a pro. Notably, he received attention from the golf world when he was just a toddler by playing golf in a television program. From there, he started playing in amateur competitions.
The 15-time major champion won the US Junior Amateur events from 1991 to 1993 and the US Amateur Championship from 1994 to 1996. Moreover, he won the 1996 NCAA Championship at Stanford, where he went to college before turning professional. Since he had a good record as an amateur, he earned his Tour ticket the same year he turned pro.
Did the son of Tiger Woods begin to create a good profile as an amateur?
Other than the PNC Championships, Charlie also plays in junior-level events. In fact, he recently played at the Notah Begay III Boys Jr Golf National Championship at Coushatta. He finished with a solo 11 rank and scored an overall 1-under 212 in the event.
The young Woods is only 13 years old, and he will not graduate until 2027. Unlike his father, who didn’t wait till his college to finish before turning pro, Woods jr. might get delayed in becoming a professional if he wants to complete his degree or pursue a master’s.
