Tiger Woods has revealed he’s been getting some advice on his game from an unlikely source ahead of this week’s US Open – his 15-year-old son Charlie.
The 15-time major winner is set to compete in this week’s third major of the year at Pinehurst in North Carolina, and he’s had a familiar face out with him on the course.
Charlie himself tried to qualify for the event, falling short in a qualifier in April, but he’s still alongside his dad – and in matching colors too – ahead of Thursday’s start.
Speaking about Charlie’s presence at the course, Woods told the media: ‘I think having Charlie out here is very special. To have the father-son relationship that we have and to extend it into this part of both of our lives, he’s playing a lot of junior golf, and I’m still playing out here.
‘It’s neat for him to see the guys that he watches on TV and YouTube and TikTok, whatever the hell it is that they do. At home he’s with JT [Justin Thomas] and Rick [Rickie Fowler] a lot. But to see other guys hit the golf ball, it doesn’t really do it justice until you actually see it in person.
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He was very excited today to watch Max [Homa] and Min Woo [Lee] and watch them hit golf balls. They’ve talked to him quite a bit, especially Min Woo and him. I think they’re closer in age than I am to anybody else. It’s great. It’s great for us to be able to share these moments together.
‘As far as his responsibilities, it’s the same. I trust him with my swing and my game. He’s seen it more than anybody else in the world. He’s seen me hit more golf balls than anyone.
‘I tell him what to look for, especially with putting. He gave me a couple little side bits today, which was great, because I get so entrenched in hitting certain putts to certain pins, I tend to forget some of the things I’m working on.
‘I just want to see the balls rolling. He reminds me every now and again, which is great. We have a great relationship and rapport like that, and it’s a wonderful experience for both of us.’
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Woods has played little competitive golf outside the majors so far in 2024, only appearing in one other event – the Genesis Invitational in February, which resulted in a withdrawal on day two.
He made the cut at the Masters in April, before finishing seven-over-par and missing out on the weekend at Valhalla in the PGA Championship.
Woods, 48, is back this week in North Carolina, though, and insists he feels confident about the state of his body and his game going into the tournament.
‘I feel like I have the strength to be able to do it,’ he began. ‘It’s just a matter of doing it. This golf course is going to test every single aspect of your game, especially mentally.
‘We’ve been working on that and making sure that I understand the game plan and be ready in two more days. It’s like home. Hot and humid is what we deal with every single day at home in Florida, so that’s nothing new.
‘It’s just making sure that I keep hydrated and the mental tax that the heat will bring. It’s going to bring it to all of us, not just me. Everyone is going to be tested.
‘It’s going to make for long rounds with the falloffs and run-offs on the greens. The rounds time-wise are going to be a little bit longer. Then when you’re out in the heat for that length and period of time, that’s going to take a little bit of wear and tear.’
Woods is also fresh off a ‘productive’ meeting in New York with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, as talks continue over a potential golf merger between the PGA Tour and LIV.
When asked if there is light at the end of the tunnel, Woods revealed: ‘I think we’re closer to that point than we were pre-meeting.
‘We discussed a lot of different endings and how we get there. I think that both sides walked away from the meeting, we all felt very positive in that meeting.
‘As I said, both sides were looking at different ways to get to the end game. I think that both sides shared a deep passion for how we need to get there. And yes, there are going to be differences of opinion, but we all want the same thing.’