Charlie Woods put on a remarkable show during the second round of the Junior PGA Championship. The son of golf legend Tiger Woods made nine birdies in his round at Purdue University’s Kampen Course, climbing over 40 spots on the leaderboard and putting himself into contention.
Charlie Back In Contention After Impressive Birdies
Charlie’s performance marked a turning point in his season. The 16-year-old recently missed the 36-hole cut at the U.S. Junior Amateur in Dallas, after rounds of 81 and 74. That tournament left many questioning whether he was ready to compete at the highest level in junior golf. But on this day, he delivered one of the best rounds of his young career.
The 16-year-old got off to a mixed start, making a birdie and a bogey in his first two holes. But he managed to steady himself and then made five birdies in his next six holes, racing through the front nine with a stunning 5-under 31. He kept his foot on the gas on the back nine with birdies on holes 12, 14, and 15. At that point, he was 8-under for the day and moving quickly up the leaderboard.
Unfortunately, two late bogeys on holes 16 and 17 slowed his momentum. Still, he steadied himself with a par on the 18th to finish with a 6-under 66, his best score in a national-level tournament. His two-day total moved to 7-under-par, but he still trails leader Lunden Esterline by seven strokes. Lunden shot 67–62 and is at a 14-under-par total. Meanwhile, Max VanderMolen and Chase Yenser are tied for second place on the leaderboard, five strokes behind Esterline.
Charlie Hoping To Finish Strong at Junior PGA
Charlie’s current position puts him in a strong position, as the top two finishers at the Junior PGA Championship automatically qualify for the U.S. team at the Junior Ryder Cup later this year. He is firmly in the mix to earn that honor with two rounds left to play, and Charlie revealed he is looking to finish stronger.
“I hit it about the same as I did in the first round, but the putter finally woke up today,” he said. “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).”
Charlie’s success at the Junior PGA comes after some solid performances earlier in the 2025 season. He won the AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational, where he shot 15-under to win against a top field. He is currently a rising junior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, and has not yet committed to a college golf program.
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