GOLF: Line forming to recruit Charlie Woods ('27) with Tiger along for ride

Rising junior golf star Charlie Woods follows in his father Tiger’s footsteps, drawing major college interest after a standout summer on the AJGA circuit. The recruiting process has changed dramatically since Tiger’s day, with instant communication replacing handwritten letters.

Field Level Media

December 3, 2025

Tiger Woods remembers a time when he would wear a path to the mailbox, eagerly checking for letters from colleges as he neared the end of high school, curious to see which programs had taken the time to outline their plans for his future.

Today, his son, Class of 2027 recruit Charlie Woods, is experiencing the recruiting buzz firsthand—though the process looks very different.

"It's been very different, the recruiting process. Now you have cell phones," Tiger said. "We didn't have cell phones. We would have written letters that would show up in the mailbox. 'Oh my God, I got a letter.' It's just very different how fast coaches can communicate with the family members and the player that they're trying to recruit. It's just a different world. Not saying it's good or bad. It's just different."

Regardless of the method, the interest in Charlie Woods is undeniable. He had a standout summer on the junior golf circuit, earning a ranking of 13th in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). His growing talent and recognizable presence on the course attract plenty of attention from fans and coaches alike.

Last month, Florida State golf coach Trey Jones spent time walking the course with Tiger while Charlie shot a team-best 68, helping The Benjamin School secure the 1A state title. Charlie attends The Benjamin School, a private school in Palm Beach, Florida.

Many of the top-ranked juniors, including the entire top 10 in the AJGA rankings, have already committed to highly sought-after college programs. That includes No. 1-ranked Miles Russell, who signed with Florida State.

Tiger Woods played college golf at Stanford, winning his first collegiate event and earning All-American honors from 1996 to 1998 before turning professional. His daughter, Sam, was also part of Benjamin School's state-title soccer team before enrolling at Stanford.

This month, the father-son duo will not participate in the PNC Championship, as Tiger is still rehabbing to rebuild strength following his seventh back surgery on Oct. 10. Tiger said that competing would not be fair, given his physical limitations, which currently restrict him to only chipping and putting. -Field Level Media/Reuters