Charlie Woods clinched his first AJGA title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational last week, as he hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps in the world of professional golf

Charlie Woods has soared in the AJGA rankings(Image: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has soared up the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings after his first event win.

The 16-year-old golfing prodigy came out on top at the Team TaylorMade Invitational last Wednesday at the Black Course in Bowling Green, Florida, finishing three strokes clear with a total score of 15-under-par. This is just a stroke shy of the tournament record which was set by Cayden Pope and Miles Russell in 2023.

The son of 15-time major champion Tiger made 25 birdies and an eagle across a total of 54 holes to lift the title, cruising past AJGA No. 1 Miles Russell in doing so. Coming as Charlie’s first-ever tournament win under the AJGA banner, the victory saw him rise 595 places in the official rankings, taking him to a respectable 14th in the standings.

And as a result, more good news followed in that the Benjamin School student is now likely to take part in the 2025 Junior Players Championship, which takes place at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course between August 28 and August 31. That’s because the top 58 of the Boys section of the rankings as of July 8 automatically qualify for the prestigious event – with the remained of the 78-player field made up of invites and exemptions.

Destined for greatness if his father’s prestigious record is anything to go by, Charlie became the youngest-ever golfer to take part in the PNC Championship in 2020 at the age of just 11, tying for fifth. However, the following year, the father-son duo finished a respectable second, missing out by just two strokes to John Daly and his youngster, John Daly II.

At last year’s tournament, Charlie and Tiger came even closer to glory – cruelly denied the tournament through a tight playoff with Bernhard Langer and his son Jason after finishing 28-under. In that instalment of the event, Charlie made headlines worldwide for landing his first-ever hole-in-one as his father watched on in amazement.

Just 15 at the time, Charlie hit a stunning tee shot on the par-three fourth hole of Florida’s Ritz-Carlton club back in December, watching his effort from a seven-iron land around six feet from the hole before it trickled into the cup. Speaking about the incredible moment, Tiger said: “That was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie, make his first hole-in-one, Sam [his daughter] on the bag, just our family and friends.

Charlie Woods won the Team TaylorMade Invitational last month(Image: Getty Images)

“That’s what this event is about. It’s about bonding and family. For us to have that experience together, I know we didn’t win, but it was the fact that we competed.

“No one really made a mistake out there. We had to earn it and that’s what you want to have. Hats off to the Langers – they played amazing.”

Charlie added of the feat: “It was awesome having Dad there. That was so much fun. It was just a perfect seven-iron, little cut in there. Of course never got to see it go in. So that sucks. But that’s all right.”

Tiger Woods made his first hole-in-one on TOUR in his professional debut at the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open.

28 years later, his son Charlie made his first ace with Dad cheering him on ❤️ pic.twitter.com/L6adWHPUXi

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 23, 2024

Speaking about his son’s development at the time, Tiger also added that his ceiling is “unlimited” should he continue to perform in such dominant fashion. He said: “He has gotten better at every facet of the game. That’s a commitment to practicing and developing as a player.

“I think that most of us forget he’s only 15 years old. I know he’s been doing this in front of the media for a long time but, being only 15, I think it’s incredible what he’s been able to accomplish so far and the ceiling that he has is unlimited.”

It appears as though Charlie is starting to pick up momentum as his father’s career starts to wind down. While Tiger has made no announcement on retirement just yet, the 49-year-old played just five events last year, and has been out of action since the Open Championship last July.