After three failed U.S. Open qualifying bids, the 17-year-old turned disappointment into duty — caddying for top-ranked junior Miles Russell on the sport’s most grueling qualifying day.
For three consecutive years, Charlie Woods has chased a dream that keeps slipping away. His latest attempt, on April 28 at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla., ended with an even-par 72 — one shot short of the final qualifying stage for the U.S. Open. Rather than step back, the 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods chose to stay in the fight the only way he could: by strapping on a caddie bib for a rival.
On Monday, Woods walked 36 holes at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., carrying the bag for Miles Russell — the No. 1-ranked junior golfer in the country and, as of next season, his future Florida State teammate.
Charlie’s Qualifying Heartbreak, Hole by Hole
Woods opened with a bogey at Eagle Trace before finding his footing. A birdie at the par-4 sixth returned him to even, but a double bogey on the par-3 seventh was too costly to absorb. He rallied on the back nine with birdies at the 10th and 12th, then gave one back two holes later. A birdie at 15 kept hope alive, but three closing pars sealed a 10th-place finish — one agonizing shot shy of advancing…