“He still qualified,” said Tiger Woods, after Charlie Woods had a rough round on Monday. The 15 YO qualified for his first USGA Championship after shooting a 1-under 71 last month at Coral Springs. However, he could not create magic as he carded a double bogey, after opening the first three holes at even par. Charlie Woods shot a 12-over 82 in the first round of the US Junior Amateur, with a T242 finish.
Despite the disappointing performance, his father’s support was unwavering, and Tiger Woods followed him throughout the Oakland Hills North Course. As word spread about the legend’s presence, the trio teeing off together, Charlie Woods, Davis Ovard, and Chase Kyes was followed by a massive crowd. While Junior Woods was accustomed, the other two were not, initially making them a bit uncomfortable.
Davis Ovard is in awe of the pressure on Charlie Woods
Davis Ovard, a fresher at Baylor, got into the USGA Championship after winning the North & South Amateur last month. He scored a 3-over grabbing a T81 finish. He also managed to appreciate the amount of pressure Charlie Woods must be entering each course with, being the legend’s son. “He’s super young. He’s got a ton of time to develop. He’s got a great swing and a good game, and he’s got time to improve and just learn. The amount of pressure he has on him is unbelievable. I can’t imagine being in his shoes. He’s a good player. I’m sure he’ll improve (Tuesday)”, added the 17 YO after Charlie Woods had a brutal opening round.
Nonetheless, his experience at Oakland will be marked as a remarkable one. The entire crowd of the venue followed the three of them teeing off, looking expectantly at every shot, it was the first time Ovard was experiencing something like this. Adding to the experience was the legend Tiger Woods following him. This made it all the more special.
He said, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with Charlie. And to have Tiger watching you, it’s crazy but it’s so much fun. The first few holes, obviously I was nervous with this crowd but once I settled in and relaxed, it was just enjoying the moment.” It was Mr. T’s presence that kept him from getting overwhelmed by the crowd. So, he slowly adjusted to it.
Well, it was not just Davis Ovard who needed time to adjust to the fact that most of the people in the gallery were his spectators. But Chase Kyes was pretty much in the same position.
Tiger Woods’ presence made Chase kyes nervous
Chase Kyes, who is a rising high school senior from Alabama, began his first round with a bogey. But, he slowly caught up, and scored an even par, finishing at T28. But, he had been pretty much nervous in the first round. To begin with, he would be teeing off with Charlie Woods, whom he had seen playing only as a spectator. And well, to top that, Tiger Woods would be following them.
Knowing that looking at the legend would make the game slip away for him, he tried to focus on his game, and not look at the 48 YO PGA Tour Pro. “I tried to just do my own thing. I looked over at (Tiger) a couple of times, but I tried not to look that much, There’s a lot of pressure with his name,” said Kyes.
The event being a free-ticketed one, made the crowd go all the more crazy. What happens on Tuesday at the challenging South Course is yet to be seen. But the question is, with so many expectations, will Charlie Woods be able to make himself a part of the 64 players playing the finale? Stay tuned to find out!
