Majors have witnessed dads mentoring their sons, dads caddieing for their sons, and sons caddieing for their dads. But sons coaching fathers has never been witnessed. Well, not until the US Open in 2024.
And this isn’t your typical Pinehurst parent-sibling relationship. Charlie Woods, 15, is arguably the most well-known adolescent golfer, even though he is still in school and is not even close to the elite amateur class. Tiger Woods, 48, is a 15-time major winner. Undoubtedly, they are a strange combination, but the elderly man is wise and trustworthy.
Woods has been accompanied by his son since coming here on Sunday, with Rob McNamara, his longtime friend, coworker, and unofficial swing adviser, standing to the side. Charlie is not just in North Carolina for the private aircraft flight. Despite possessing a player-support badge, he is not using it to get access to private areas.
When questioned about Charlie’s obligations this week, Woods said, “As far as his responsibilities go, they’re the same [as that of a coach].” With my game and swing, I put my trust in him. More than anyone else in the world, he has witnessed it. More golf balls than anyone else have he seen me hit.
I advise him on what to watch out for, particularly when putting. It was nice that he offered me a few side bits today because I tend to forget some of the stuff I’m working on because I get so focused on hitting particular putts to certain pins.
Woods hasn’t used a real coach in a while, most notably not since the vehicle accident that nearly cost the American his right leg three years ago. Due to those devastating injuries, he had to completely reconstruct his swing in order to make a comeback. He and Charlie spent many hours practicing at their Jupiter home range, figuring out what was and wasn’t doable.
In February 2021, ten months after being rescued from the wreckage, he participated in his first public competition at the parent-child tournament on the PGA Tour. Tiger deserved praise for their eighth-place finish, but Charlie won everyone over with a string of daring hits. Charlie has entered several prestigious competitions with Tiger leading the way, and while he hasn’t made a lot of progress yet, he is obviously talented. In the same way that paternal pride is evident.
Woods remarked, “I think having Charlie out here is very special.” It’s a lovely experience for both of us, and we have a wonderful friendship and rapport. To incorporate it into this aspect of our life together. I still play out here, and he plays a lot of junior golf. He finds it amusing to see the people who he watches on YouTube, TikTok, and TV, regardless of what the hell they are doing.
Charlie also facilitates conversation between Woods and a few of his playing companions. Consider the 25-year-old Australian Min Woo Lee, who Woods played with on Tuesday’s practice round. According to Woods, “Min Woo and Charley talked quite a bit.” They seem to be closer in age than any other person I know. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy these times together.
Naturally, the dramatic Hollywood conclusion would show the two going into the sunset, one Tiger hand clasped in Charlie’s and the other holding the trophy. But golf, especially US Open golf, rarely does schmaltz.
Making the cut on only his ninth competitive appearance in 55 months would be a tremendous accomplishment for Woods. This will be a difficult test. He was 60th out of players who played all four rounds at the Masters after failing to qualify at the USPGA last month.
Though they were all too brief, glimmers of his previous self have been seen. Woods has admitted that he is stuck in a situation where he has to play in more events but his injured body won’t let him. On Monday, Hank Haney, his old coach, probably said it best on social media. Haney wrote on X, “Tiger’s swing looks really good, but golf might be too hard a game to play occasionally at a high level.”
Woods, on the other hand, is limited to being optimistic and is certain that he still has what it takes to compete at the course where he placed second behind Michael Campbell in 2005 and third behind the late Payne Stewart in 1999.
“Yes,” replied Woods, who shares the first two rounds’ playing partner, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick. “I think I have what it takes to pull it off. All that needs to be done is the task. Your entire game will be put to the test on this golf course, but especially your mental toughness. We’ve been focusing on it and making sure I comprehend the strategy throughout the following two days. Charlie will see to it that he does.
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