With dad Tiger Woods watching, Charlie Woods opens play at Florida Amateur Championship
With dad Tiger Woods watching, Charlie Woods opens play at Florida Amateur Championship
Charlie Woods is in the hunt at another top amateur golf tournament just over a week after picking up his first major junior victory.
Woods, a rising junior at the Benjamin School and the son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, fired 74 (2-over) in the first round of the 108th Amateur Championship hosted by the Florida State Golf Association on Thursday at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens.
He'll enter the second round tied for 39th and eight shots back of leaders William Block (Plantation), Derek Busby (Palm Beach Gardens) and Santiago Navarro (Winter Garden) at 6-under par.
It was an up-and-down opening round for Woods, who never moved more than a stroke above or below par until his final hole as he oscillated with three birdies and five bogeys on the BallenIsles South Course.
Woods will begin his second round at 7:45 a.m. on Friday off No. 1 at the BallenIsles East Course. He will be paired with Vero Beach's James Hassell and Orlando's Palmer Haynes.
The 108th Amateur Championship is a 72-hole stroke play tournament which will be played June 5-8. The field will cut to the low 70 players with ties after the first 36 holes.
The tournament was first hosted in 1915 and is the oldest continuous sporting event in Florida. Former champions include 1976 U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate.
Woods enters the tournament with momentum after his victory at the Team TaylorMade Invitational on May 28, the first American Junior Golf Association event win of his junior golf career. His AJGA ranking rose more than 500 places to No. 14 overall.
Recent: Charlie Woods soars in junior golf rankings after first AJGA tournament victory
Charlie Woods hole-by-hole scorecard
Hole — Score (Strokes)
No. 10 — Par (4)
No. 11 — Bogey (4)
No. 12 — Birdie (3)
No. 13 — Par (4)
No. 14 — Birdie (4)
No. 15 — Bogey (5)
No. 16 — Par (3)
No. 17 — Par (5)
No. 18 — Par (4)
No. 1 — Birdie (3)
No. 2 — Par (3)
No. 3 — Bogey (5)
No. 4 — Par (3)
No. 5 — Par (4)
No. 6 — Par (4)
No. 7 — Bogey (6)
No. 8 — Par (4)
No. 9 — Bogey (6)
Final: In 36, Out 38, Total 74 (2-over)
Charlie Woods golf ranking
Woods soared in the junior golf rankings in the wake of his first career American Junior Golf Association victory.
He is ranked No. 14 in the latest edition of the AJGA boys rankings, more than 595 spots better than his previous ranking of No. 609.
Charlie Woods AJGA win
More: Charlie Woods wins first AJGA tournament at Team TaylorMade Invitational
Woods earned his first career AJGA win on May 28 with a 3-stroke victory at the Team TaylorMade Invitational at Streamsong Resort's Black Course in Bowling Green, Florida.
It was an individual breakthrough for Woods, whose previous best AJGA finish was a tie for 25th at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in South Carolina in March.
He shot a final round 66 (6-under) to close the tournament at 15-under overall, defeating top junior players such as Jacksonville Beach's Miles Russell (No. 1 in the previous AJGA rankings) as well as Luke Colton (No. 5) and Alabama's Tyler Watts (No. 7).
Charlie Woods next tournament
More: Charlie Woods receives special invite to elite junior golf tournament after first AJGA win
Woods has received an invitation to play in the Northeast Amateur from June 18-21 at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rhode Island.
One of seven events on the Elite Amateur Golf Series, the Northeast Amateur was established as an annual junior golf tournament in 1962. Its past winners include Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Luke Donald, David Duval and Nick Dunlap, who won the event in 2023 and turned pro with the PGA Tour in 2024.
Woods has yet to make a decision on his invitation according to the Rhode Island Golf Association's official X account.
Woods' new AJGA ranking also means he will potentially qualify to play 2025 The Junior Players Championship at historic TPC Sawgrass in late August in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The field comprises the top 58 boys in the Rolex AJGA Rankings as of July 8 as well a select group of international invitees and additional spots available at the tournament organizer's discretion.
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
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Fox Sports
an hour ago
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Coco Gauff handles bad memories and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to earn first French Open title
Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Drawing on the painful memory of her defeat three years ago in the French Open final gave Coco Gauff just the motivation she needed to win the clay-court major for the first time. The 21-year-old American defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday for her second Grand Slam title, two years after winning the U.S. Open. 'I think (the U.S. Open victory) was more emotional but this one was harder,' said Gauff, who managed to handle the elements and the momentum swings better than Sabalenka. "I knew it was going to be about will power and mental (strength)." The victory put to rest the bad memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek when, as an 18-year-old, Gauff felt overwhelmed even before stepping onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. 'It was a tough time, I was doubting myself," Gauff recalled. 'I was crying before the match, and so nervous, literally couldn't breathe and stuff." Gauff said that the lopsided loss rocked her confidence to such an extent that she was left 'in a dark place' and feared she was not cut out for winning major titles. 'I thought if I can't handle this how am I going to handle it again?' she said. She handled it just fine on Saturday. The second-ranked Gauff made fewer mistakes and kept her emotions in check to get the better of Sabalenka again at major final, having come from a set down to beat the Belarusian in the 2023 U.S. Open final. Gauff raised the winners' trophy aloft, then kissed it several times. She held her hand over her heart when the U.S. national anthem played. 'This one is heavy," Gauff said. 'It feels great to lift it.' She is the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris since 2013, when Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the 21-year-old American fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands as she started to sob, then got up and held her hand over her mouth. She continued to sob as she patted the clay with her left hand. Gauff greeted Sabalenka at the net with a warm hug and thanking the umpire, Gauff screamed out with joy and relief, then got to her knees and crouched forward, continuing to cry as she savored the win. She hugged later film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage in her box before thanking the fans. 'You guys were cheering for me so hard," she said. "I don't know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd.' One thing Gauff could not manage — yet — was a victory speech in French. 'I completely tanked on that," she said, adding that she will try in the future. 'I don't think I could do a whole speech but maybe a good something to say to the French crowd.' Sabalenka praised Gauff for being a 'fighter' and said she deserved the win, but added that the windy conditions made for an error-strewn contest. 'This will hurt so much," Sabalenka said. "Coco, congrats, in the tough conditions you were a better player than me.' Both players were sloppy in the first set, conceding 21 break-point chances and making 48 unforced errors between them, with Sabalenka making 32 yet still winning the set. She made 70 altogether in the match, compared to 30 overall for Gauff. Sabalenka was often frustrated, remonstrating and shouting at herself and frequently turning around to look at her team with an exasperated look on her face. She put her head on her hands a couple of times, and at one point raised her shoulders as if to say 'What's going on?' Gauff said she paid no attention, knowing full well that Sabalenka could find her best game at any moment. The first set looked to be heading Gauff's way when she led 3-0 in the tiebreaker, but Sabalenka steadied herself and clinched it with a forehand volley at the net. Gauff leveled the match with a smash at the net. But Sabalenka stuck to her high-risk approach in the deciding set. One superb rally in the third game drew loud cheers. After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net. It was a rare highlight on a day when swirling wind troubled both players with the roof open. 'It was tough to plant your feet, the ball was moving so much," Gauff said. 'It was not a day for great tennis, honestly." ___ AP tennis: in this topic
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
French Open final highlights: Coco Gauff wins title in thrilling battle over Aryna Sabalenka
French Open final highlights: Coco Gauff wins title in thrilling battle over Aryna Sabalenka After a slow start in the first set, Coco Gauff staked her claim as one of this season's queens of clay, storming back to upset top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 in a sloppy, mistake-filled French Open final on Saturday. It's the second Grand Slam title for the 21-year-old Gauff, who adds the 2023 U.S. Open crown to her triumphs. Gauff, who had split the previous 10 matches with Sabalenka, became the first American woman to win the French Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2015, despite eight double faults and having trouble with her serve at times in the match that took two hours and 37 minutes. Down 3-1 in the third set, the Belarus native broke Gauff to even the match at three, but was broken again in the seventh game, as the rain started to come down at Court Philippe-Chatrier with the roof remaining open, but couldn't maintain the momentum. Sabalenka, who had 70 unforced errors and six double faults, was clearly frustrated with her play at times, yelling at her coaches in the stands after a shot out of play or into the net and nearly hitting a kid running after a ball following one of those mistakes. Despite the loss, Sabalenka will keep the No. 1 spot in the next WTA rankings. After winning the first game of the match, Gauff was broken in the third and fifth games. Sabalenka neutralized Gauff's serve, sprinting out to a 4-1 lead and a 40-love lead in the next game. But Gauff showed resilience, breaking back after losing seven straight points on serve before saving a triple break point. Sabalenka was broken again in the eighth game, and Gauff squared up the match, thanks to the top-seed unraveling, at one point losing 12 straight points. In a recurring theme, Sabalenka, who had four double faults and 32 unforced errors, thanks to a nearly 30 mph gusting wind, and Gauff took turns breaking each other's serve, including Gauff getting the upper hand in a 13-minute 10th game. The hour and 17-minute set went to a tiebreak, with Gauff taking the first three points, before Sabalenka stormed back to take the set 7-6. Here's a recap of the French Open women's final: OPINION: Gauff doesn't dominate, and that's OK. She's still rare. In the second set, it was Gauff who got out to a 4-1 lead, and Sabalenka continued to pile up the unenforced errors. After racking up 32 unforced errors in the first set, Sabalenka added 15 more, as Gauff settled down and blitzed the three-time major winner, taking the second set 6-2. On to the third and deciding set, in what has been a thrilling, yet mistake-filled final. After winning the first game of the match, Coco Gauff was broken in the third and fifth games as Aryna Sabalenka neutralized Gauff's serve, sprinting out to a 4-1 lead and a 40-love lead in the next game. But Gauff showed resilience, breaking back after losing seven straight points on serve before saving a triple break point. Sabalenka was broken again in the eighth game and Gauff squared up the match, thanks to the top-seed unraveling, at one point losing 12 straight points. In a recurring theme, Sabalenka, who had four double faults and 32 unforced errors, thanks to a nearly 30 mph gusting wind, and Gauff took turns breaking each other's serve, including Gauff getting the upper hand in a 13-minute 10th game. The hour-and-18-minute set went to a tiebreak, with Gauff taking the first three points before Sabalenka stormed back to take the set 7-6. The head-to-head matchup between Gauff and Sabalenka is tied 5-5 overall, 1-1 in majors and 1-1 on clay. Most recently, Sabalenka edged out Gauff 6-3, 7-6 to win in the Madrid finals on clay in Spain last month. Their last meeting in a major came in the semifinals of the 2024 Australian Open, where Sabalenka defeated Gauff 7-6, 6-4 on a hard court. Before that, Gauff defeated Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3 in the 2023 U.S. Open final – also on hard court – to claim the first Grand Slam singles title of her career. What time does French Open women's final start? The French Open women's final between American Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is set for Saturday at 9 a.m. ET (3 p.m. in Paris). What TV channel is showing French Open women's final? The French Open women's final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka will be broadcast live on TNT. Watch the French Open women's final on Sling Coco Gauff has won one Grand Slam singles title: the 2023 US Open women's singles championship. She has reached the French Open final twice: 2022 and this year. Her best result in the Australian Open is the semifinals in 2024. She has reached the fourth round of Wimbledon three times (2019, 2021, 2024). Aryna Sabalenka has won three Grand Slam women's singles titles: the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open and the 2024 US Open. She reached the final of the French time for the first time in her career this year and the Wimbledon semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Tournament's No. 2 seed 1st round: Defeated Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2 Defeated Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2 2nd round: Defeated Tereza Valentova 6-2, 6-4 Defeated Tereza Valentova 6-2, 6-4 3rd round: Defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) Defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) 4th round: Defeated (20) Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0, 7-5 Defeated (20) Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0, 7-5 Quarterfinals: Defeated (7) Madison Keys 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-1 Defeated (7) Madison Keys 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-1 Semifinals: Defeated Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-2 Tournament's No. 1 seed 1st round: Defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 Defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 2nd round: Defeated Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-1 Defeated Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-1 3rd round: Defeated Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 Defeated Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 4th round: Defeated (16) Amanda Anisimova 7-5, 6-3 Defeated (16) Amanda Anisimova 7-5, 6-3 Quarterfinals: Defeated (8) Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 Defeated (8) Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 Semifinals: Defeated (5) Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0 Odds to win the 2025 French Open women's singles final, via BetMGM (as of Thursday, June 5) Sabalenka -190 Gauff +160 Is there a live stream of the French Open women's final? The French Open women's final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka can be streamed live on Max and Sling TV.
CNBC
an hour ago
- CNBC
Coco Gauff handles bad memories and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to earn first French Open title
Drawing on the painful memory of her defeat three years ago in the French Open final gave Coco Gauff just the motivation she needed to win the clay-court major for the first time. The 21-year-old American defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday for her second Grand Slam title, two years after winning the U.S. Open. "I think (the U.S. Open victory) was more emotional but this one was harder," said Gauff, who managed to handle the elements and the momentum swings better than Sabalenka. "I knew it was going to be about will power and mental (strength)." The victory put to rest the bad memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek when, as an 18-year-old, Gauff felt overwhelmed even before stepping onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. "It was a tough time, I was doubting myself," Gauff recalled. "I was crying before the match, and so nervous, literally couldn't breathe and stuff." Gauff said that the lopsided loss rocked her confidence to such an extent that she was left "in a dark place" and feared she was not cut out for winning major titles. "I thought if I can't handle this how am I going to handle it again?" she said. She handled it just fine on Saturday. The second-ranked Gauff made fewer mistakes and kept her emotions in check to get the better of Sabalenka again at major final, having come from a set down to beat the Belarusian in the 2023 U.S. Open final. Gauff raised the winners' trophy aloft, then kissed it several times. She held her hand over her heart when the U.S. national anthem played. "This one is heavy," Gauff said. "It feels great to lift it." She is the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris since 2013, when Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the 21-year-old American fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands as she started to sob, then got up and held her hand over her mouth. She continued to sob as she patted the clay with her left hand. Gauff greeted Sabalenka at the net with a warm hug and thanking the umpire, Gauff screamed out with joy and relief, then got to her knees and crouched forward, continuing to cry as she savored the win. She hugged later film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage in her box before thanking the fans. "You guys were cheering for me so hard," she said. "I don't know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd." One thing Gauff could not manage — yet — was a victory speech in French. "I completely tanked on that," she said, adding that she will try in the future. "I don't think I could do a whole speech but maybe a good something to say to the French crowd." Sabalenka praised Gauff for being a "fighter" and said she deserved the win, but added that the windy conditions made for an error-strewn contest. "This will hurt so much," Sabalenka said. "Coco, congrats, in the tough conditions you were a better player than me." Both players were sloppy in the first set, conceding 21 break-point chances and making 48 unforced errors between them, with Sabalenka making 32 yet still winning the set. She made 70 altogether in the match, compared to 30 overall for Gauff. Sabalenka was often frustrated, remonstrating and shouting at herself and frequently turning around to look at her team with an exasperated look on her face. She put her head on her hands a couple of times, and at one point raised her shoulders as if to say "What's going on?" Gauff said she paid no attention, knowing full well that Sabalenka could find her best game at any moment. The first set looked to be heading Gauff's way when she led 3-0 in the tiebreaker, but Sabalenka steadied herself and clinched it with a forehand volley at the net. Gauff leveled the match with a smash at the net. But Sabalenka stuck to her high-risk approach in the deciding set. One superb rally in the third game drew loud cheers. After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net. It was a rare highlight on a day when swirling wind troubled both players with the roof open. "It was tough to plant your feet, the ball was moving so much," Gauff said. "It was not a day for great tennis, honestly."
