Charlie Woods plays his shot from the first tee during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in 2023. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Tiger Woods' son falls short in improbable U.S. Open quest

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated 4/25/24

Charlie Woods, the only son of golf legend Tiger Woods, failed on Thursday in an attempt to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The 15-year-old needed to finish fifth or better in the 84-player field at a qualifying Port Lucie, Fla event. But the teen shot a nine-over 81 at The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club and didn't make it to the final qualifying round.

Woods' dream of playing in the U.S. Open, following in his father's footsteps, will have to wait at least another year.

Charlie Woods is playing in a U.S. Open qualifying tournament today at Pinehurst. 84 players are competing for 5 spots. pic.twitter.com/QkLcfojbdZ
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) April 25, 2024

Woods started his round with a bogey on the par-4 first hole and a double bogey on the par-5 second hole. He bounced back with a birdie on the par-3 fifth hole, but that ended up being his only birdie of the day.

Woods recorded two double bogeys and three bogeys the rest of the way on the 6,975-yard course.

Woods is tied for 61st in the local qualifying tournament. The top five players on the leaderboard are at even par or better, so Woods won't be moving on to the next stage in the qualifying process.

That's not exactly a surprise, however.

Woods is a talented player who has impressed at the nationally televised PNC Championship over the past few years. He also helped lead his high school team to a state championship last fall. But qualifying for the U.S. Open at 15 is a different animal.

This event was more of a test to gain valuable experience in a competitive event than a sincere effort to qualify for a major championship.

Woods' time will come, but he won't be ready for the big show for at least a few more years.

The U.S. Open is June 13-16.

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