As the end of Tiger Woods' career on the PGA Tour looms in a few years, it is impossible not to mention his son Charlie, with whom the living legend of world golf maintains a real bond.
Born on February 8, 2009 from the marriage between Tiger and Elin Nordegren – who separated a year later – Charlie Axel Woods is now 14 years old and plays very well… golf.
“I no longer play as many tournaments as in the past
, explained his dad at a press conference,
and I no longer train as much as before.
But joy is different.
I was able to spend more time with my son.”
Besides blood ties, golf plays an important role in the relationship between father and son.
We remember that Tiger Woods himself had a very strong relationship with Earl Woods, Charlie's grandfather, an ex-soldier who had put on his son's coach cap from an early age.
Today, the former world No. 1 does not hide the fact that he, in turn, has taken charge of his son's golfing destiny.
Which has developed a stunning resemblance to his father on the course.
An incredible and touching mimicry in attitudes and swing.
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"With Charlie
," he said,
"I can share some of the things I experienced with my own dad: the late-night putting or practice sessions we did at the Navy Golf Course
(a course located in Cypress, California, where Tiger Woods grew up, editor's note)
, I make them today with my son.
The complicity and the moments that arise thanks to golf are incredible.
Yes, the joy of playing is definitely different for me today.
I want to be able to continue to share this game, exchange memories and create new ones with my son.
I learned a lot of things in golf, passing that on to Charlie and others is fantastic.”
A few months ago, Tiger Woods admitted that his son was already hitting faster than him.
According to the American Golf Channel, Charlie recorded a swing speed of 188 km/h with his driver, putting him above some professional players on the PGA Tour, where the average speed was 183 km/h during the 2022 season.
Parent-child tournament
Last December, father and son competed for the third time in the PNC Championship, a parent-child duo tournament played on the fairways of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
The Woods team finished eighth in the standings, six shots behind the winning duo, Vijay Singh and his son Qass.
“I will support Charlie everywhere and whatever he wants to accomplish,
affirms Tiger Woods
.
I obviously offer him opportunities in golf.
As parents, our job and responsibility is to provide opportunity and support.
It's funny that he is so passionate about something that I enjoyed so much…”