Get ready for an exciting showdown at the Florida Class 1A State Championship! Charlie Woods, the 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods, is making waves at the Benjamin School. With 18 holes left to play, the state title is up for grabs, and it's a battle between three powerhouse teams.
The leaderboard is sizzling with talent. Orlando First Academy leads the pack with a 1-under 287, closely followed by Palm Beach Benjamin and Orlando Circle Christian. But here's where it gets controversial... for Charlie, it's all about the team glory, and his school is right in the thick of it!
Benjamin School's superb performance is thanks in part to Alexander Tsar's impressive 68, tying him for the lead with Mingbo Jiang of First Academy. The Bucs are no strangers to success, having qualified for state after an impressive win over defending champions Oxbridge Academy. They're also ranked as the top high school team in Florida, according to the FHSAA iWanamaker rankings.
Charlie's season has been nothing short of remarkable. He was recently named a first-team All-American by the AJGA, following in his father's footsteps from the early '90s. This prestigious honor was awarded to only 12 boys nationwide, and Charlie's breakthrough win at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in March propelled him to ninth place in the AJGA rankings.
But it's not just about the wins; Charlie has also made his mark with some incredible shots. He delivered a stunning hole-in-one at the iconic 17th hole of TPC Sawgrass during the Junior Players Championship. And let's not forget his famous ace alongside Tiger at the PNC Championship in 2024, the last time we saw the 15-time major champion in competitive action.
While Tiger, now 49, continues to recover from his seventh back surgery with no clear timeline for a return, he's got another reason to stay tuned this week. His girlfriend Vanessa Trump's daughter, Kai, is making her LPGA debut at the Annika tournament, just a couple of hours away from where Charlie is competing. Tiger's simple advice to Kai ahead of her debut adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already captivating week in golf.
As we head into the final round, all eyes are on Charlie and his team. With the title within reach, Charlie has another opportunity to showcase his talent and solidify his status as one of the most exciting young golfers in America.
So, who will emerge victorious at the Florida Class 1A State Championship? Will Charlie and his team claim the title? And what impact will Tiger's absence have on Charlie's performance? These are the questions on everyone's minds as we eagerly await the outcome.
Don't miss this thrilling conclusion!
Article by Andy Roberts, GolfMagic Editor since 2015.
