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Charlie Woods reacts after hitting a tee shot on the 17th hole during the first round of the U.S. Junior Amateur at Brook Hollow Golf Club.

On April 28, Charlie Woods came agonizingly close to reaching a milestone he has been chasing for the past three years. The 17-year-old golfer narrowly missed earning one of five guaranteed spots in the U.S. Open Final Qualifying stage, often referred to as “Golf’s Longest Day.”

Falling just one stroke short of a playoff position, Woods’ performance was a painful near miss. Especially considering the expectations that often follow him as the son of Tiger Woods. Notably, Tiger has won three U.S. Open titles. One at Pebble Beach in 2000, followed by Bethpage Black in 2002 and Torrey Pines in 2008. The 2026 U.S. Open will be played at at Shinnecock Hills ​Golf Club on June 18-21.

While Tiger is often seen supporting his son at events, he was reportedly not in attendance at the U.S. Open local qualifying round. Considering the controversial year the 50-year-old has already had, it was not a surprise to many that he took a step back and allowed his son to focus on the game at hand.

Charlie Woods Falls Just Short of Latest Goal

Competing at Eagle Trace Golf Club, Woods finished the round at even-par 72. That score left him just outside the cutoff needed to continue his journey toward the U.S. Open. Wood’s faced solid competition, and every stroke carried weight. Woods’ started with a bogey on the opening hole, immediately putting him behind. However, he quickly regained composure, playing solid golf over the next several holes to return to even par.

The round took a difficult turn on the seventh hole, where Woods recorded a double bogey. This forced him to play catch-up for the rest of the round. He made the turn slightly above par, but continued to fight for his spot on the back nine. Birdies on the 10th and 12th holes brought him back into contention while showing the ability to recover under pressure.

This latest result continues a pattern of near breakthroughs for Woods in U.S. Open qualifying. His previous attempts have shown improvement but have yet to result in a spot at the U.S. Open.

Last season, he finished seven shots behind the qualifying mark for the 36-hole final stage, a step in the right direction from his 2024 outing, where he struggled to card an 81. While the progress is there, the gap is still significant.

Woods’ 2026 Season

Looking ahead, Woods remains one of the more closely watched young players in the amateur golf scene. Now committed to Florida State University, he is set to compete in the upcoming Team TaylorMade Invitational from May 21–24.

Back in 2025, Woods captured his first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Invitational title at the same event, posting an impressive 15-under total. That victory pushed him into the top 10 of the AJGA Rolex Rankings and marked a breakout moment in his junior career. He currently sits at No. 14 in the rankings, a position that highlights his talent and consistency.

While his latest attempt at U.S. Open qualifying ended in disappointment, Charlie Woods’ path suggests that it may only be a matter of time before he breaks through.