Junior Players Championship: Charlie Woods pulls off Tiger-like moment in R1 at TPC Sawgrass

Charlie Woods got off to a solid start on day one of the 2026 Junior Players Championship.

The son of golf legend Tiger Woods, 17, is playing the exclusive event on a sponsor's invite

He went round the iconic Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in 1-under 71 on Friday. 

Charlie began on the back nine and was 2-over after his opening five holes having dropped shots at the par-5 11th and long par-4 14th.

According to Golfweek's Adam Schupak, Charlie dunked his second shot into the water at the 11th, tossed his club on the floor and let out a "god dammit" reminiscencent of his famous father before he heard the splash. 

Charlie recovered quickly though, producing three birdies from the 15th to make the turn in 1-under. 

He managed to escape the iconic par-3 17th with a par despite his tee shot settling on the footpath.

Charlie tugged his wedge and thought his golf ball was destined for a watery grave but volunteers indicated to the youngster that it stayed dry. 

From there, Charlie was presented with an awkward stance some 30 yards to the pin but managed to play a neat chip to four feet, which he converted. 

Tiger has a well-documented history with the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. 

In 2001, he chipped in for birdie in the third round of the Players, prompting commentator Gary Koch to say the famous line: "Better than most!"

He went on to win the tournament by one stroke from Vijay Singh. 

Charlie dropped another shot at the 2nd but picked up his fourth birdie of the day at the 3rd. 

Another bogey followed at the 5th but he played his remaining four holes in 1-under to sign for a 71. 

It left him inside the top 10 at the time he completed his first round, though several players had yet to complete their first 18 holes. 

Charlie played a practice round earlier in the week and his mother, Elin, was in attendance but there was no sightings of Tiger. 

Woods, 50, resolved his DUI case on Wednesday. 

The 15-time major champ entered a no-contest plea to a reduced reckless-driving charge stemming from his March rollover crash. 

Woods had initially pleaded not guilty to DUI with property damage and refusing a lawful test.

Under the agreement, prosecutors dropped the DUI charge and reduced the testing allegation to careless driving. 

Judge Darren Steele imposed a five-year driver’s-license suspension and fines totaling about $1,500. 

A smiling Woods was warned he would go to jail if he was caught behind the wheel again in that period. 

The March 27 crash occurred on Jupiter Island after Woods attempted to overtake a truck and his Land Rover overturned. 

Nobody was injured but he was forced to crawl out of the passenger side of the vehicle. 

Deputies reported signs of impairment and, while a breath test detected no alcohol, Woods refused a urine test.

He also had prescribed hydrocodone in his possession. 

Woods appeared in court alongside girlfriend Vanessa Trump and did not address reporters afterward. 

President Donald Trump said he felt the punishment was fair.