Tiger Woods’ ‘hate to admit it’ remark about son Charlie speaks volumes after bad news

Tiger Woods is set to miss the chance to team up with his son Charlie after the golf icon’s latest injury setback. Woods last appeared on the PGA Tour in July 2024, missing the cut at The Open.

The 49-year-old has enjoyed a legendary career, winning 15 majors and helping to transform the sport. However, his extended spell on the sidelines has seen the former world No.1 fall down the rankings.

Woods has suffered multiple injuries in recent years, including rupturing his Achilles while training at home in March. More recently, he underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery.

READ: Charlie Woods bags prestigious golf honor dad Tiger earned over

This latest operation has effectively ended the chances of Tiger teaming up with his son Charlie at the PNC Championship in December. The tournament has become a father-son tradition, with Woods competing alongside his son since 2020.

Despite the pressure of following in his father’s footsteps, Charlie has shown tremendous potential. The 16-year-old claimed his first American Junior Golf Association title in May at the TaylorMade Invitational. In 2022, Tiger’s admission that his 13-year-old had outdriven him for the first time spoke volumes about Charlie’s golf game.

“I hate to say it but I’m going to admit it: He finally did it a few weeks ago. I spun one and he tomahawked one and got me,” Woods said during The Match in 2022.

Tiger and Charlie have yet to win the PNC Championship together but they came close last year. The Woods’ tied with Bernhard Langer and his son Jason on 28-under-par before losing out in a playoff.

However, there was still plenty for the Woods family to be happy about. Charlie had claimed an eagle on the third hole before achieving his first-ever hole-in-one on the fourth, much to his dad’s delight.

“It’s one of the highlights that we’ve ever had,” Tiger said. “We were talking about earlier, he made his first eagle. Now he just made his first hole-in-one. It’s a magical two-hole stretch.

“I’m just so happy for him. It was a lot of fun. It was back-and-forth, no one made a mistake today.”

Charlie echoed his father’s thoughts: “It was awesome,” he said. “No one made a mistake today, and on top of that, I made an ace. I don’t think I can top that.”

Tiger’s injury troubles have likely denied the father-son duo their chance to compete for the PNC Championship this year. The tournament is set to be held at the Ritz-Carlton golf club in Orlando, Florida from December 18.

In a post on X, Tiger confirmed his latest surgery last month. “After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with Doctors and Surgeons to have tests taken,” he said.

“The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday. I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”

The statement added: “On Friday, Tiger underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in his L4/5 Lumbar spine for lower back symptoms. The surgery was deemed successful and performed by Dr Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.”

Charlie Woods bags prestigious golf honor dad Tiger earned over 30 years ago

Charlie Woods has closed out a milestone year in his junior golf journey with a major accolade — a place on the elite 2025 Rolex Junior All-America First Team, a recognition reserved for the nation’s top young players, including his father 35 years ago.

This is Woods’ first time earning a spot on the First Team, and he joins an exclusive list of 24 standout juniors recognized for exceptional play over the year. Representing Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and part of the class of 2027, the 16-year-old rose to No. 9 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings after collecting 280.291 points in six tournaments.

READ: Why Phil Mickelson claimed modern players simply do not understand about Tiger Woods

His breakthrough came in May at the Team TaylorMade Invitational, where he notched his first AJGA win with scores of 70, 65, and 66 — adding 225 points to his season total, significantly contributing to his latest career milestone. Woods also recorded a T9 finish at the Boys Junior PGA Championship in July, as well as getting to grips with the Junior PLAYERS Championship and the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.

Over the past year, the teenager Woods has seen rapid growth spurts. He is now believed to be standing at 6 ft 1 in, and legend John Daly advised Woods’ father to build him up, and he would be a fantastic player in the future.

However, the rapid growth saw Charlie put on more weight than he wanted, and he dropped 10 pounds, according to his high school coach, Toby Harbeck.

“Charlie knows a lot of the attention is going to be on him and he knows not to put himself in an uncomfortable position, but his teammates are protective of him,” the Benjamin Buccaneers coach told the Palm Beach Post in August.

“Charlie has come a long way in two years. He’s lost 10 pounds and is ready to take on that No. 1 role.”

The teenage Woods also happens to go to school with another teenager who is related to an American cultural icon.

Charlie is currently a junior at an elite Palm Beach high school with an annual tuition of about $37,000 — the same school where Kai Trump, granddaughter of President Donald Trump, is completing her senior year.

Earlier this year, Charlie’s father made headlines when he went public with his relationship with Vanessa, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr.

The 15-time major champion is often seen cheering on his son at junior tournaments, frequently joined by his ex-wife, Elin.

While the younger Woods’ career is on the rise, his father, Tiger, is at a crossroads. The 49-year-old underwent surgery on an Achilles injury earlier this year and then suffered another setback with another back surgery.