Charlie Woods wins dramatic playoff to reach 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur

Charlie Woods secured his place in the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur after winning a dramatic playoff at Heathrow Country Club in Florida on Monday.

The 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods carded a three-under-par 68 to finish tied for fifth and force a two-for-one playoff with Eric Zhao for the final of five available qualifying spots. 

Charlie prevailed in the playoff to book his return to the prestigious championship, which will be held at Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania from 20-25 July.

The American's round of 68 comprised of seven birdies. 

The Florida State commit will now make his third straight appearance in the U.S. Junior Amateur. 

Charlie missed the cut in his debut at Oakland Hills in 2024 after rounds of 82 and 80, before narrowly missing out on match play last year at Trinity Forest following scores of 81 and 74.

His father Tiger Woods has attended both of Charlie's previous appearances in the championship. 

The 15-time major champion remains the tournament's most successful player, having won the U.S. Junior Amateur three consecutive times between 1991 and 1993.

Tiger holds the record as the only player in history to win the U.S. Junior Amateur three consecutive times (1991, 1992, 1993).

It remains to be seen whether Woods will be in attendance to watch his son at the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur as he continues his recovery at a rehab clinic in Switzerland. 

Charlie arrived at qualifying immediately off the back of the Team TaylorMade Invitational, where he was unable to successfully defend his title. 

After opening with an impressive 68, he followed with consecutive rounds of 73 to finish tied for 28th in the elite 72-player field.

Despite the disappointing finish, Charlie showed plenty of positive signs, recording 10 birdies during the course of the tournament. 

Costly mistakes proved expensive though, with seven bogeys and three double bogeys preventing a stronger challenge.

California's Luke Ringkamp claimed the title after a closing 64 saw him reach 13-under-par and win by three shots. 

Highly-rated junior Miles Russell, who recently featured in one of Bryson DeChambeau's popular Break 50 videos, finished tied for fourth.

Having qualified once again for the U.S. Junior Amateur, Charlie will now look to make the breakthrough and reach match play for the first time in his junior career.