Charlie Woods sinks hole-in-one at TPC Sawgrass during Junior Players Championship

The 16-year-old son of Tiger Woods aced the par-3 third hole Sunday at the Junior Players Championship, adding a highlight to an otherwise modest tournament showing.

Charlie Woods sank a hole-in-one on the par-3 third hole at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, during the Junior Players Championship on Sunday, video posted by the American Junior Golf Association showed. The shot, played from 177 yards, landed on the green and rolled into the cup, prompting celebration from Woods and his playing partners on the tee box.

Woods carded an even-par 72 in the final round on Sunday. According to Fox News, he finished the tournament at 7-over par and was well outside contention; the New York Post reported he tied for 31st in the field for the weekend. The ace at No. 3 was one of the clearest moments of the week for the 16-year-old, who has drawn attention both for his pedigree and his growing résumé in junior competition.

The shot was captured and shared widely on social media. On the AJGA’s X account, the clip shows Woods teeing up and striking a pure approach that held the green before disappearing into the hole. On the video, a voice is heard asking, “Hole-in-one? Did he just get a hole-in-one?” followed by another reaction that can be heard as “holy s—t.” The moment drew immediate attention because of Woods’ name recognition and the rarity of aces at competitive events.

Woods has recorded at least one prior hole-in-one in competition. In December 2024, while playing alongside his father Tiger Woods at the PNC Championship, Charlie made an ace that elicited a notably vivid reaction from his father. That earlier shot and the one at TPC Sawgrass are among a string of notable moments the younger Woods has produced as he advances through junior and amateur ranks.

The Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is among the higher-profile events on the AJGA calendar, played at one of the sport’s most recognizable venues. The par-3 third hole, where Woods’ ace occurred, measures 177 yards in the setup used for the event. TPC Sawgrass is perhaps better known for its island-green 17th hole in professional play, but its shorter holes can still produce dramatic moments in junior competition.

Woods’ performance this summer follows several notable developments in his amateur career. Earlier in the year, he claimed his first AJGA title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational in May, held at the Streamsong Resort Black Course in Florida. In that event, Woods opened with eight birdies in the first round, a hot start that helped carry him to the win and further spotlighted his potential in junior ranks.

Family pedigree and public interest have amplified attention to Charlie’s results. Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, has been present for several of Charlie’s public appearances and competitive outings, which has generated frequent media coverage. The younger Woods has competed in a variety of settings alongside or in view of his father, from exhibitions to family team events such as the PNC Championship.

Despite the headline-grabbing ace, Woods’ overall score for the Junior Players Championship placed him well back of the leaders. Junior events frequently feature deep fields of top amateurs from around the world, and a single highlight shot does not always translate to a tournament victory. Still, aces are rare and memorable feats at any level of the game and often attract attention to young players’ potential.

The AJGA and other junior circuits serve as a developmental pipeline to collegiate golf and, for some, eventual professional careers. Success at AJGA events, including titles and low rounds, can affect college recruiting and invitations to higher-profile amateur competitions. Woods’ Team TaylorMade Invitational win in May and his continued presence in marquee junior events will likely factor into how college programs and talent evaluators view his trajectory.

Video of the ace circulated quickly after the round, drawing comments and shares across social media platforms. The AJGA’s post captured the immediate reactions on the tee box and among onlookers, and outlets covering the tournament noted both the quality of the shot and the moment’s significance given Charlie’s family name and recent tournament results.

Officials at junior events typically record round scores and tournament standings for official AJGA rankings and event records. Woods’ ace will be logged as part of competition archives and is likely to be referenced in future coverage of his junior-season highlights. For now, the shot at TPC Sawgrass adds another data point to a summer that included both an AJGA title and continued exposure in high-profile junior tournaments.

Charlie Woods will continue to compete in AJGA events and other junior tournaments as he progresses through the amateur ranks. Observers and analysts will monitor whether his flashes of brilliance, such as aces and low rounds, translate into more consistent finishes at the top of leaderboards. The hole-in-one at TPC Sawgrass is a standout moment in a developing competitive résumé that already includes a national junior title and experience playing in notable events with and around one of golf’s most recognized figures.