Charlie Woods’ hopes of making the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team took a big hit after he faltered in the final round of the Junior PGA Championship, finishing tied for ninth and missing out on automatic qualification.

The 16-year-old was hoping to win the first big title of his junior career this week, as many of the top young golfers competed at Purdue University. He needed to finish first or second in Indiana to earn a place in next month’s Junior Ryder Cup at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black, but his three-day charge ended in disappointment as his late-round struggles cost him a place on Team USA.

Woods Misses Out On Automatic Ryder Cup Qualification

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Woods entered the final round in a strong position after posting impressive back-to-back rounds of 5-under 66, surging into a tie for second place at 12-under overall. The 16-year-old started the final day in second, seven shots behind overnight leader Lunden Esterline, and was in a good position to secure one of the two automatic spots on Team USA for the Junior Ryder Cup. However, he found himself 10 shots behind after eighteen holes.

The son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods grabbed national attention after making nine birdies in the third round at the Kampen Course at Purdue University in Indiana. But Woods couldn’t hold his ground on the final day, as he opened with a bogey and struggled to regain momentum. A double bogey later in the round sealed his fate as he shot a 3-over-par 74 and fell down the leaderboard. His 72-hole total of 9-under left him tied for ninth, four strokes behind the two players who locked up the final Ryder Cup spots.

Giuseppe Puebla and Tyler Mawhinney both finished at 13-under to earn automatic qualification, and Lunden Esterline won the tournament with a dominant 19-under-par finish, having already qualified through the points list.

Woods Faces Fight To Make Ryder Cup Team

With only one captain’s pick remaining for the boys’ team, Charlie is in danger of missing out on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. He currently ranks 20th in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) standings, and this may not be high enough to earn him a final selection. The AJGA rankings play a key role in determining the team, along with performances in top tournaments like the Junior PGA.

The 2025 Junior Ryder Cup will take place from September 23 to 25 in New York, with matches held at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black. The event, modeled after the main Ryder Cup, features the top boys and girls from the U.S. and Europe competing in a team format. Although Woods came close to earning automatic qualification, he now faces a fight to make the Ryder Cup team, as he is unlikely to be selected for the captain’s pick.

Tiger Woods has put a strict rule in place for his 16-year-old son Charlie before he can get a share of his astronomical fortune.

The 15-time major winner is widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time, if not the GOAT.

He made the majority of his money through prize money and major sponsorship deals, including one of the most famous athlete partnerships with Nike, which lasted 27 years.

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In 2022, he became the second active athlete ever following LeBron James to become a billionaire.

Now, Forbes estimate he has a net worth of $1.3bn (£980m).

His daughter Sam and son Charlie are set to inherit a chunk of that wealth, but there are conditions in place for them to receive money in the coming years.

Charlie, who is a promising golfer himself, already has a net worth of $25m (£18m), according to Sportskeeda.

But that fortune is likely to grow as he gets older and receives access to more of Woods’ money.

The Mirror report that both Charlie and his sister both have trusts in their name worth $20m (£14.8m). Meanwhile, Charlie has also been given two luxury properties in Florida and California.

However, will not be able to access these assets until he turns 21.

As the son of the legendary Woods and an emerging golfer, Charlie will likely benefit from sponsorships in the future.

He is already eligible for a Name, Image and Likeness deal, which are given in college to allow student-athletes to profit through their personal brand.

However, Charlie has not yet signed any such deal.

In 2023, there were rumours that he had signed a deal with Greyson Clothiers, but nothing was ever confirmed by Woods or Greyson.

Can Charlie Woods follow in Tiger’s footsteps?

Charlie is still at the start of his golfing journey, but there’s interest in how much he can achieve.

He has impressed at the ongoing Junior PGA Championships against some of golf’s best young talents.

Charlie is seven-under after two rounds, sitting six shots behind the leader Lunden Esterline.

He caught the attention with some great shots, sinking nine birdies in the first days.

It is a welcome boost for the youngster following a difficult display at the recent US Junior Amateur Championships.

After a torrid opening day in which he finished 11 over par, he was unable to claw it back on the second – where he finished 3-over par.

This meant he missed the cut by 10 shots and was sent home.

It is still still early days in Charlie’s career, but comparisons and intrigue are inevitable – especially when his father Tiger won his first major at just 21.

Charlie Woods’ attempt at a bounce-back in the US Junior Amateur Championship came up short as the son of golf icon Tiger Woods missed the cut at the tournament.

Playing at Trinity Forest Golf Club and Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas, Charlie had a rough first day at the tournament but hoped to bounce back in the second round.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen as Charlie’s 11-over first round and 3-over second round led to him missing the cut by a massive 12-stroke margin.

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With Tiger watching on, Charlie struggled massively at Brook Hollow on Monday – leading to that 11-over round.

On Tuesday, at Trinity Forest, Charlie seemed to handle the course much better.

He played the first nine in an even-par 36 and had the chance to finish under par after the back nine.

However, he bogeyed the 17th hole and then double-bogeyed the final hole to arrive at his 3-over 74.

It means that Charlie will not be able to match the result that his father accomplished back in 1991 – when Tiger became the youngest US Junior Amateur champion at the time. Tiger also won the Junior Amateur in 1992 and 1993.

Charlie played in the tournament last year and suffered a similar fate – carding rounds of 82 and 80 at Oakland Hills in 2024.

His inclusion in the tournament this year came via a playoff at a qualifying site in Coral Springs, Florida.

Notable winners of the US Junior Amateur include major winners Johnny Miller, David Duval, Brian Harman, Jordan Spieth (twice) and Scottie Scheffler.

Other winners include Min Woo Lee, Will Zalatoris, and Nick Dunlap.