Charlie Woods Misses Junior Ryder Cup Spot After Final-Round Collapse

Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, fell short of securing a spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team after a disappointing final round at the Junior PGA Championship in West Lafayette, Indiana. Entering the final day tied for second at 12-under-par, Charlie needed a top-two finish to earn an automatic berth for the prestigious event, scheduled for September 23-25, 2025, at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black in New York. However, a three-over-par 74 on Friday saw him drop to a tie for ninth, ending his hopes of automatic qualification.

The Junior PGA Championship, held at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex’s Ackerman-Allen Course, was a high-stakes battle for two automatic U.S. Junior Ryder Cup spots. Charlie had positioned himself strongly with back-to-back 66s in the second and third rounds, carding an impressive nine birdies each day. “My round was pretty up and down… but nine birdies is pretty good,” he said after Thursday’s round, optimistic about his chances. Yet, the final round proved challenging. Starting even par through 13 holes, Charlie’s hopes unraveled with a bogey on the 14th and a double bogey on the 15th, followed by two more bogeys. His final score of 9-under-par for the tournament left him four strokes shy of the second-place finish needed for qualification.

Lunden Esterline dominated the event, finishing at 19-under-par to claim the title and one automatic Ryder Cup spot. Giuseppe Puebla surged into a tie for second with a final-round 64, securing the other automatic berth. While a captain’s pick remains an option for the U.S. team, Charlie, ranked 20th in the American Junior Golf Association rankings, is considered an unlikely candidate for selection. This setback adds to recent challenges for the young golfer, who missed the cut at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship just weeks earlier, shooting 14-over-par.

Despite the disappointment, Charlie’s performance at the Junior PGA Championship showcased his potential. His second-round 66, featuring nine birdies, propelled him up the leaderboard from 43rd to a tie for second, demonstrating resilience after a modest opening-round 70. A rising junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, Charlie has already notched significant achievements, including a victory at the 2024 Team TaylorMade Invitational and a runner-up finish alongside his father at the 2024 PNC Championship.

The pressure of being Tiger Woods’ son is undeniable, with every swing drawing scrutiny. Yet, Charlie’s talent and mental toughness have been evident throughout his young career. His father, a 15-time major champion, has praised Charlie’s skills, noting he’s already surpassed him in certain aspects at the same age. While the Junior Ryder Cup dream has faded for now, Charlie’s journey is far from over. With continued development, including potential physical conditioning as suggested by John Daly, Charlie Woods remains a promising talent in golf’s next generation.