The Real Reason Why Charlie Woods Rejected Tiger Woods’ Stanford Legacy Is Confirmed by Insider

Charlie Woods has his sights set on his future as an amateur golfer. And he’s not following the same path as his father, Tiger Woods. Instead, he has chosen to go down the road where his arch-rival is enrolled: Florida State University. Eager to rise up the ranks, the crew of Fore Play Golf podcast explained why Woods will benefit from playing alongside Miles Russell.

Sam “Riggs” Bozoian told his co-hosts, “Charlie Woods, 17 years old, commits to Florida State University. He announced his commitment Tuesday afternoon. He will join Miles Russell, who is the number 1 player in the AJGA rankings, as the kind of star-studded class that they’re going to have of 2027.”

As confirmed by the PGA Tour on Instagram, Woods announced that he will be joining FSU alongside #1 AJGA-ranked player, Russell. Bozoian’s statement gave Frankie Borrelli the perfect stage to comment on the situation.

READ: Tiger Woods’ 17-year-old son Charlie announces major golf move

“I love it. I think it’s a great move,” Borrelli said. He added, “I saw a lot of people were surprised it wasn’t Stanford or something closer to what Tiger did at Stanford. Florida State having Miles Russell is great for Charlie Woods. Being around the best player, they’re going to be very competitive; they’re going to build off of each other. Obviously, Charlie on to Miles more than the other way around, because he’s the best player in the country.”

Unlike Woods, Russell enjoyed a very successful spell as a junior golfer. Over the last year, he has won three events and was in contention in every time he joined the field. Not that the Big Cat’s son has also not found success during this period. Woods managed to capture the Team TaylorMade Invitational last year and showed tremendous improvement in his game. However, he was still being compared to his father’s legacy. And moving to FSU will potentially help him overcome that.

“I think this is great for his development. For a kid that grew up with his dad being Tiger Woods, the best situation ever for a golfer, but also not a realistic childhood or upbringing. So to be able to go to experience college and playing with a team. Not being singled out and with the spotlight on you; you’re just a part of a team with a logo,” Borrlli added.

He also said, “That’s going to be great for Charlie Woods. This is everything that he needed instead of going pro and trying to be on the PGA Tour at the age of 18-19; this is so much better for him.”

Had Woods gone to Stanford University, he would have constantly been compared to his legendary father. Instead, the young protege will be teamed up with and competing against his rival at FSU. That will give him the opportunity to breathe and build his own path into professional golf.

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That said, Woods will also have a score to settle with Russell, going to Florida State University.

Charlie Woods might look for payback against Miles Russell at FSU

Charlie Woods has been working hard to find his game. However, over the last couple of years, his efforts have been overshadowed by those of his rival. Miles Russell has been stealing the spotlight from the 17-year-old due to his incredible skills.

After his incredible record in 2024, Russell left an impression on TaylorMade after his U.S. Amateur Championship domination whereas Woods ended up missing the cut. And the brand didn’t hold back on highlighting Russell’s skills.

In an Instagram post, they shared glimpses of him with a caption, “A 15-year-old phenom. 😳 @milesrussellgolf has all the shots in the bag with #TP5x. #TeamTaylorMade.”

While may be hanging out with Russell as they prepare to join FSU in 2027, but the young protege might also be looking for some payback. It might not come in the form of direct competition. But Woods might be looking to get one-up on his rival by slowly getting better than him while playing alongside him.

The Woods family is adding to its remarkable golf legacy.

Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, announced on Instagram he had committed to play college golf at Florida State.

“Go Noles!” the high schooler posted.

Woods won the Team TaylorMade Invitational in May and drilled a hole-in-one on the third hole at TPC Sawgrass in August.

READ: Why Did Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods Break Up? What Ended Ol

The father-son duo played alongside one another at the PNC Championship from 2020 to 2024, and the younger Woods recorded his first ace in 2024. The pair finished in second in both 2021 and 2024.

Woods, who turned 17 Monday, is the 21st-ranked golfer in the American Junior Golf Association. He finished tied for ninth at the Junior PGA Championship in August.

In the summer of 2024, he qualified to compete at the U.S. Junior Amateur but failed to make the cut.

His dad has 82 professional wins, tied with Sam Snead for the most ever. Fifteen of those victories have come in majors, and his last major win was an unforgettable 2019 Masters.

Tiger underwent another back surgery in December after he ruptured his Achilles just weeks before last year’s Masters. In 18 official events since finishing tied for ninth at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, his best finish is a tie for 37th at the 2020 PGA Championship.

He has not competed since the 2024 Open Championship. He competed in just five events that year — each of the four majors and the Genesis Invitational, which he hosts. He withdrew from the Genesis, finished dead last in the Masters and missed the cut in the final three majors.

Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and Paul Azinger, the 1993 PGA Champion, both attended Florida State.

Tiger Woods’ Son Charlie, 17, Commits to Play College Golf — and Dad Is ‘So Proud’

Charlie Woods, the son of iconic golfer Tiger Woods, has committed to play professional golf in college. 

In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the 17-year-old athlete announced that he will continue his career in sports; however, it won’t be at his famous father’s alma mater.

“Excited to announce my commitment to play golf at Florida State University — go Noles!” the youngest of Tiger’s two kids shared on social media.

READ: How Tiger Woods Leaves Jordan Spieth at Loss for Words With

The 50-year-old golfer, who has garnered 82 PGA Tour wins and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022, is also a dad to Sam Alexis Woods, 18.

He shares both children with his ex-wife Elin Nordegren.

Tiger attended Stanford University on a golf scholarship, but after two years, he left to compete in professional tournaments.

“Congratulations Charlie. I’m so proud of you on entering this next chapter of your life,” the proud dad wrote in Charlie’s comment section.

The teen is currently a junior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla., and will be a member of FSU’s 2027 recruiting class, ESPN reported.

Charlie’s highlights thus far include ranking first in the Team TaylorMade Invitational with a 54-hole total of 15-under 201 in May 2025, coming in at No. 18 at the Rolex Tournament of Champions in November, according to the outlet.

In addition to the news, Charlie’s Instagram bio now features the Instagram handle for Florida State Men’s Golf. He has also deleted all of his previous posts, leaving only his announcement.

Tiger has always been vocal about his support for both of his children.

During the July 2021 premiere episode of the Golf Digest mini-series A Round with Tiger: Celebrity Lessons, the billionaire told Jada Pinkett Smith that his son was a “natural.”

However, he added that he doesn’t want Charlie to feel pressured into playing golf, adding, “I just don’t want him to hate the game.”

“I get emotional about it. Some of my best memories are being out there with my dad,” Tiger said.

While talking to reporters in December 2020, Tiger opened up about why competing with Charlie in the PNC Championship was a significant milestone.

“I don’t think words can describe it,” Tiger said. “Just the fact that we were able to have this experience together, Charlie and I, it’s memories for a lifetime.”

The annual event was previously known as The Father/Son Challenge, later rebranding in 2020, and consists of PGA Tour and Champions Tour golfers and their sons.