His father’s name is written prominently in the history of the US Open. On Thursday, Charlie Woods will look to pen a chapter of his own.
Tiger Woods’ 15-year-old son will tee up at an 18-hole local qualifier in Port St. Lucie, Florida, as one of an 84-player field vying for a spot at the 124th edition of the major.
The five top finishers at The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club will advance to the second and final qualifying stage – dubbed ‘Golf’s Longest Day’ – held at 36-hole events across 10 US and three international venues in May and June.
Those that progress from there will stamp their ticket to Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina on June 13, joining reigning champion Wyndham Clark and the rest of the 50 top-ranked players in the world already exempt for the third men’s major of the season.
Having competed alongside his 82-time PGA Tour winning father at four PNC Championships – an unofficial team event on the PGA Tour Champions – the young Woods got his first taste of Tour qualifying in February when he teed up in a pre-qualifier for the Cognizant Classic.
Pursued by big crowds around Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, the teenager shot a 16-over par 86 to fall short of making it to the next stage.
Woods is one of 10,052 entries for US Open qualifying this year with hopefuls – who must have a handicap not exceeding 0.4 or be professional to be eligible – spanning all 50 states and 70 foreign countries.
