Charlie Woods fights to qualify for first USGA event as Tiger given a lifetime Major exemption

Charlie Woods has earned his way into his first USGA championship after the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods had the leading score among qualifiers for the US Junior Amateur next month at Oakland Hills.

He recovered from a bogey-double bogey start at Eagle Trace Golf Club to finish with a one-under 71 to be medallist from his qualifier, one of four players to qualify from the site.

“I didn’t play great my first two holes, but I played really good for the last 16,’‘ Woods said.

“I just told myself not to make any more bogeys or doubles, and I took advantage of some nice birdie looks when I had them.”

In a milestone week for the Wods family, dad Tiger learnt that the PGA Tour has created a special sponsor exemption for the 15-time major champion based on his “exceptional lifetime achievement”.

The sponsor exemption would be available for Woods to compete in the eight signature events, which feature limited fields, increased prize money and FedEx Cup points and is the only one available to any player.

Tiger Woods was 14 when he qualified for his first US Junior, reaching the semi-finals. He won his first US Junior Amateur a year later at Bay Hill in 19 holes.

Woods is the only player to win the US Junior three straight times.

Players have to be under 19 before the championship ends.

The US Junior Amateur will be held from July 22-28 at Oakland Hills in the suburbs of Detroit.

Charlie Woods will be among 264 players who will go through 36 holes of stroke play on the North and South courses at Oakland Hills to determine which 64 players advance to match play.

Tiger Woods is a nine-time USGA champion: three straight US Junior Amateurs, three straight US Amateurs and three US Open titles.

“The USGA means a lot to me,” Charlie Woods said. “I want to win USGA championships and hopefully one day the US Open.”