Charlie Woods posts personal-best 76 at U.S. Junior Amateur
Charlie Woods opened with a personal-best 5-over 76 at the U.S. Junior Amateur after a rocky start, keeping his match-play hopes alive. The 17-year-old sits just three shots from a projected playoff for the final Round of 64 spots at Saucon Valley Country Club.
Key Takeaways
- Woods carded a 5-over 76 on Saucon Valley’s Old Course, five shots better than his previous best U.S. Junior first round.
- He started bogey-triple and stood 6 over through five holes before playing the final 13 in 1 under with two birdies.
- He is three shots outside a projected playoff for Wednesday’s Round of 64 after Round 1.
- This is his third straight U.S. Junior appearance; he missed match play after opening 82 and 81 in the prior two years.
- More than 260 juniors from about 30 countries are competing in Lehigh Valley through Saturday.
According to Golf Channel, Woods fought back from that early mess to post his strongest opening score yet at the championship. The trophy is now named after his father, Tiger Woods, adding extra spotlight to every tee shot.
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How did Charlie Woods rebound from his poor start?
Woods began Round 1 on Saucon Valley’s Old Course with a bogey and a triple bogey. That left him 6 over after five holes and looking at another tough week.
He steadied quickly. Over the closing 13 holes he went 1 under, making a pair of birdies to salvage the 76. Golf Channel reported it as his best first round at the U.S. Junior by five strokes.
Where does Charlie Woods stand for match play?
After Monday’s round, Woods was only three shots outside what would currently be a playoff for the last berths into Wednesday’s Round of 64. He heads next to the Grace Course for Tuesday’s second round.
Grace played about three-fourths of a shot tougher than the Old in Round 1. That leaves little margin, but far more hope than in his last two starts.
Two years ago at Oakland Hills he opened with an 82. Last year at Trinity Forest he posted an 81. He followed those with an 80 and a 74 and missed match play by a wide margin both times.
Who else stood out on day one at Saucon Valley?
Sohan Patel led after a 66 on the Old at 5 under. Brayden Jones sat one shot back after a 66 on the par-70 Grace. Woods’ future Florida State teammate, seventh-ranked amateur Miles Russell, shot 69 on Grace.
Defending champion Hamilton Coleman matched Woods with a 76 on Grace. Local coverage from WFMZ noted more than 260 players under 19 at Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township, with 30 countries represented and play running through Saturday.
For Woods, the story is simple: survive Tuesday, and the Round of 64 is still within reach.