News

At 16, Charlie Woods T-2 At Junior PGA, Looks To Seal Ryder Cup Spot

Charlie Woods remained in a strong position Thursday to earn a spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team.

The 16-year-old son of Tiger Woods is tied for second place at the Junior PGA Championship after shooting a 5-under 66 in a rain-delayed third round at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex’s Ackerman-Allen Course in West Lafayette, Indiana.

He stands at 12-under 202 for the week.

The players are vying for two automatic spots on the Junior Ryder Cup team, which will take on Team Europe from September 23-25 at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black in New York. There is also one captain’s pick, although Woods, who is ranked 20th in the latest American Junior Golf Association ranking, is unlikely to be selected for it.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Woods has never competed in the event.

He said after his round that he is hoping to control his own destiny with a strong finish on Friday.

“It was so fun,” Woods said of his third round, according to the Lafayette Journal & Courier. “I had a pretty fun ship on 16, but I just enjoyed being out there, having fun, and hopefully I have a good chance of winning tomorrow.”

Woods endured a mixed round on Thursday. He had three runs of back-to-back birdies and made nine birdies altogether, but he mixed in four bogeys.

“My round was pretty up and down, and it gave me a heart attack out there,” Woods said. “But nine birdies is pretty good. A couple of three-putts, I made a few mistakes today, but overall pretty solid round. Pretty good position going into tomorrow.”

A rising junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, Woods won the AJGA’s Team TaylorMade Invitational in May. He missed the cut at the recent U.S. Junior Amateur. He has not made a college commitment.

Lunden Esterline leads the Junior PGA at 19 under after carding a third-round 66. Esterline, from Andover, Kansas, is a 2027 Auburn commit.

Pennson Badget is tied with Woods in second after shooting a 67 on Thursday. Badgett, from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, is a 2026 Tennessee commit.

James Van Wickler

Recent Posts

Former Patriots’ Star Stefon Diggs Starts Trial For Allegedly Strangling Personal Chef When She Asked To Be Paid

The trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs and his personal chef…

2 hours ago

Orlando Magic Fire Jamahl Mosley After Blowing 3-1 Playoff Lead

The Orlando Magic have fired head coach Jamahl Mosley.  This comes after the Game 7…

2 hours ago

Pistons Complete 3-1 Comeback With Big Performances From Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 7 of the first round to…

2 hours ago

Mike Vrabel & Dianna Russini Mocked In ‘Inside The NBA’ Graphic After Celtics Series Loss

ESPN's Inside the NBA featured New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and former The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini in a graphic after…

2 hours ago

Milwaukee Brewers 2026 MLB Season Outlook: Schedule, Odds & Tickets

The Milwaukee Brewers faced another postseason letdown after getting swept by the Dodgers in the…

1 day ago

James Pearce Jr. To Join Intervention Program To Avoid Trial In Rickea Jackson Assault Case

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will join an intervention program.  Pearce Jr. was…

1 day ago