While Sam Woods, sister of Charlie Woods, is set to pursue academic excellence at Stanford, Charlie has his sights set on a different goal. He’s devoted to honing his golf skills and carrying on the legacy of his legendary father, Tiger Woods, who boasts 15 major championships. This young prodigy isn’t alone in making a name for himself in the junior golf world. Blades Brown, another junior golfer, has already made a splash on the PGA Tour, including competing in high-profile events such as the American Express and Mexico Open. Meanwhile, Charlie Woods is diligently perfecting his game on the junior circuit, preparing for his big leap ahead.
This week, Charlie is battling it out at the renowned Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club. What makes this event particularly intriguing? Charlie is sharing accommodations with Hamilton Coleman. The Georgia commit is one of the most promising talents in junior golf and is set to be a significant competitor for Woods.
Living with your rival isn’t a common occurrence in the world of sports, but that’s precisely the situation Charlie Woods and Hamilton Coleman find themselves in. While they’ll soon be squaring off on the golf course, they’re also developing a camaraderie off the green, exchanging experiences and challenging each other to improve. For Coleman, the tournament offers another chance to demonstrate his ability. He enters the competition with momentum, having secured a T4 finish at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship and victory at the Junior Players Championship presented by Rolex last year.
Coleman is eager to pit his skills against some of the best young golfers in the world. He confidently proclaims that he’s capable of competing at this level, but his most notable comment about the upcoming competition was succinctly put in six words: “You have to respect your competition.” He elaborated, saying, “It takes so much to win something like this” (as reported by News Channel 6).
Indeed, he’s spot-on. Triumphs at this level are hard-earned, not handed out. Both Coleman and Woods are acutely aware of this, having endured countless hours of practice, mental challenges, and immense pressure. Despite their rivalry on the course, there’s mutual respect for the effort each puts into their game.
As the tournament unfolds, all attention will be on these upcoming stars. The challenging 7,000-yard championship course at Sage Valley won’t make things easy for them. It’s a true test of skill, patience, and the capability to perform under pressure. However, the tournament is about more than just competition; it’s about the bonds formed, the rivalries developed, and the experiences that propel these players to the next stage of their careers.
For Charlie Woods, this tournament is another milestone in his journey, another opportunity to improve his game among the best in junior golf. With contemporaries like Blades Brown already making their mark in the professional league, the question isn’t whether Charlie will advance to the PGA Tour, but when.
Charlie Woods began his 2025 season at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship, where he finished T52. Although not the best start, golf is a game of rhythm, and Charlie is now gearing up for the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, aiming to ascend the leaderboard and rediscover his rhythm.
His previous year had its ups and downs, but he concluded it impressively, reaffirming that the Woods legacy continues. Remember his spectacular hole-in-one at the 2024 PNC Championship? That perfect 7-iron shot on the 4th had fans in awe. His near-miss for an eagle in the playoffs was another testament to his considerable talent. But is he ready for the PGA Tour? Not quite yet.
Currently, Charlie is competing in junior golf with the Benjamin Buccaneers. There’s a crucial rule that prevents him from joining the PGA Tour: players must be at least 18 years old. That means Charlie won’t be eligible to join until at least February 8, 2027.
An interesting note is that Blades Brown, who is only 17, already plays on the PGA Tour. Brown was granted entry through a sponsor exemption, a sort of VIP pass that allows young talents or crowd favorites to participate in select PGA Tour events before they meet the standard requirements. This is how Brown competed at The American Express this year. Could Charlie follow the same path? Absolutely. If his performance draws the right attention, he could secure an exemption and experience PGA Tour competition before turning 18. Otherwise, his fans will have to wait a couple more years.
Regardless, one thing is certain—Charlie Woods’ time to shine on the PGA Tour is inevitable. It’s simply a matter of when.