Tranlate this title Charlie Woods pulls off Tiger-like moment during impressive round at TPC Sawgrass in spanish

Charlie Woods produced one of his best competitive rounds at TPC Sawgrass on Friday, putting himself close to the leaders at the Junior Players Championship.

The 17-year-old opened the tournament with a 1-under 71 on the Stadium Course, finishing the first round tied for ninth and four shots behind leader Chase Bauer, who carded a 5-under 67.

It was also Charlie’s lowest competitive round at TPC Sawgrass. He played the same tournament last year and finished tied for 31st after rounds of 76, 75 and 72.

Woods received a sponsor invitation for this year’s Junior Players Championship, giving him another opportunity to test his game on the same course where his father enjoyed two of the biggest victories of his PGA Tour career.

Tiger started from the back nine and did not have an ideal beginning. He made bogeys at the 11th and 14th holes, which left him 2-over after only five holes.

However, the young American responded quickly. He made birdies at the 15th and 16th before arriving at the famous par-3 17th, a hole that has created many memorable moments in golf history.

Charlie Woods survived a difficult moment at the 17th

Woods pulled his tee shot to the left side of the island green and initially believed that his ball had finished in the water.

Instead, the ball stayed dry on the footpath near the green. Charlie was left with an awkward shot from around 30 yards, but managed to chip the ball to about four feet and then made the putt for par.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Woods said after discovering that the ball had stayed out of the water.

Charlie stayed dry on the grass bridge at 17 @TPCSawgrass. Snazzy little up and down here to stay at even in the Jr Players thru 8 holes. pic.twitter.com/XSCb2g3u3M

— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) September 4, 2026

He then continued his recovery by making an 18-foot birdie putt at the 18th, reaching the turn at 1-under. On his final nine holes, Woods added birdies at the third and ninth, while also making two more bogeys.

The moment at the 17th naturally created comparisons with his father. Tiger Woods has a long history at TPC Sawgrass and won The Players Championship there in 2001 and 2013.

His 2001 victory included one of the most famous putts of his career. During the third round, Tiger faced a difficult 60-foot putt at the 17th and somehow found the hole, leading commentator Gary Koch to use the famous words “better than most.” Tiger went on to win the tournament by one shot.

Charlie did not produce the same kind of birdie on Friday, but avoiding the water and saving par from a difficult position was still one of the most interesting moments of his opening round.

Woods is trying to continue his progress

The Junior Players Championship is another important event for Charlie, who has continued to gain experience in high-level junior golf during the last two years.

His performance on Friday was already an improvement compared to his opening round at the same tournament last year. In 2025, Woods started with a 76, followed it with a 75 and finished with a 72 for a total of 7-over and a share of 31st place.

This season has included several other important junior events. Woods qualified for his third consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur and entered the championship as a rising senior at The Benjamin School.

He opened that tournament with a 76 and followed it with a 70, while his AJGA record this year also includes appearances at the Junior PGA Championship, Team TaylorMade Invitational and Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.

Playing under the Woods name naturally brings more attention than most junior golfers receive. Charlie has been watched closely for years because of what his father achieved, but the 17-year-old is still building his own career and trying to improve through tournaments like this one.

TPC Sawgrass gives him another chance to do that against a quality junior field. The Stadium Course is difficult even for experienced professionals, and the famous 17th can change a round very quickly if a tee shot finds the water.

Charlie managed to avoid that problem in the opening round and, more importantly, did not allow his two early bogeys to destroy his round. Five birdies helped him finish below par and remain close enough to the lead going into Saturday.

Golf fans have been making predictions about Charlie Woods’ future for several years, but it still seems too early to make any serious predictions.

The young golfer will try to build his own name, continue his rise and eventually attempt to become part of the PGA Tour.

It will be a challenging task, but knowing the mentality Tiger had, there is hope that Charlie is equally motivated and dedicated.