Charlie Woods hits out at rude fan for distracting | Golf News

Charlie Woods’ attempt to qualify for match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur got here to a disappointing conclusion Wednesday morning when a spectator’s digital camera shutter audibly clicked during his backswing on a pivotal playoff gap at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The 17-year-old son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods had secured a place in a 14-for-2 sudden-death playoff following rounds of 76 and 70 over two days of stroke play, ending tied for 63rd in the 264-player subject at 5 over par.

The top 64 rivals superior straight to match play, creating an early-morning playoff for the ultimate two bracket positions.

Woods started play at 7:24 a.m. ET in the third of 4 playoff teams, trying to attain the inexperienced in two on the par-5 opening gap at Saucon Valley’s Grace Course. His strategy settled in heavy tough left of the inexperienced, roughly 25 yards short.

As he ready for his third shot, a chip from the tough that required precision to set up an advancing birdie, a loud digital camera click on rang out mid-backswing.

Woods mishit the shot badly, leaving himself a difficult birdie alternative from the perimeter. Video of the incident, which unfold quickly on social media, confirmed Woods dropping his membership and turning toward the gallery in clear frustration.

“Really, dude?” Woods said, with another voice in the group observing: “Right in his swing.”

Woods failed to make the following birdie putt from roughly 35 ft and recorded bogey on the opening, concluding his match. Just three of the 14 golfers competing in the playoff recorded birdie on the opening gap to progress to a second playoff gap, where Eli Wessel of Indianapolis and Hudson Kutchma of Westfield, Indiana, finally secured the ultimate two match-play positions with pars on the par-3 fifth.

While the conclusion proved disappointing, Woods’ efficiency throughout the week marked his best exhibiting at the match across three profession entries.

He started stroke play with a tough start, going six over through his opening 5 holes on Monday, including a triple bogey, before recovering to shoot one under across his remaining 13 holes. He then posted an even-par 70 on Tuesday, that includes an eagle on the par-4 thirteenth gap, to full regulation at 5 over and secure his place in the playoff.

This represented a substantial enchancment in contrast to his prior U.S. Junior Amateur appearances, having posted 82-80 in his 2024 debut and 80-74 the earlier yr.

Woods, an incoming high faculty senior who has dedicated to compete collegiately at Florida State, can have eligibility for one further U.S. Junior Amateur attempt in 2027. His father captured the same championship a document three straight instances from 1991 to 1993, with the match’s trophy bearing his identify.