Just a week after missing the cut at the U.S. Junior Amateur in Dallas, Charlie Woods stormed back into contention at the 49th Junior PGA Championship in West Lafayette, Indiana. But this time, without his father by his side.
Tiger Woods, who was seen following Charlie during the first round of the U.S. Junior Amateur, was notably absent from Purdue University’s Kampen-Cosler Course on Wednesday.
On Day 2, the 16-year-old fired a 6-under 66 in the second round, vaulting up more than 40 spots on the leaderboard to sit T-4. The AJGA Championship winner is currently at 7-under, seven shots behind Lunden Esterline.
His round featured nine birdies, including a blistering stretch of six on the front nine. He birdied hole no. 1 and carried away the momentum in holes 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, carding a 31 before the turn.
On the back nine, he added birdies at 12, 14, and 15, but gave back strokes with bogeys on 16 and 17.
“I hit it about the same as I did in the first round, but the putter finally woke up today,” Woods told Journal & Courier reporter Ethan Hanson. He added, “It felt really good in my hands, and I was able to roll a few in after some solid iron shots. Nice to get myself back in the mix and looking forward to getting after it tomorrow (Thursday).”
During his first round Tuesday, played on the Ackerman-Allen Course, he shot a more pedestrian 1-under 70, with four birdies and three bogeys.
But Wednesday’s performance on one of Indiana’s toughest layouts showed the kind of poise and precision that echoes his father’s legacy.
Charlie Woods’ Junior PGA Championship can open doors for Ryder Cup
The Junior PGA Championship offers two automatic spots on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, which will compete against Europe from Sept. 23-25, with singles matches held at Bethpage Black.
A third spot will be awarded as a captain’s pick, but Woods is unlikely to receive that unless he finishes in the top two.
“It’s a fun group and we’re all having a good time out there,” stated Tyler Mawhinney to the Journal & Courier, after playing alongside Woods and Jackson Ormond from New York. “It’s kind of cool with the crowds but other than that, it’s just a normal game of golf”.
Jr. Woods teed off for Round 3 on Thursday at 2:53 p.m. ET, again on the Ackerman-Allen Course in West Lafayette, Indiana.
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