Tiger Woods was a golf prodigy who hit balls on television when he was just two years old and learned what to share with the public and what to keep to himself through a series of well-documented personal exams.
He’s pursuing the same strategy with his 11-year-old son Charlie, who plays with his famous father at an event in Florida this week and went viral on Friday because of the eerie similarity between the couple’s golf swing.
Woods, the 15-time main champion, was delighted with Charlie’s love of the game but tightened the line when a reporter asked about the contents of his bedroom.
But Woods said his son doesn’t mind cameras following him this week.
“When I was 11 it was a whole different world,” said Woods.
“I’ve played a lot of tournaments, but I wasn’t like that in front of the media. It was so different. He used it and played it and is a part of golf. And that’s part of golf.
“I have so much fun watching him enjoy the game. That’s the whole idea. Have fun hitting and creating these shots. It’s so cool for me to see him enjoy the sport. “
And Woods said a future in golf isn’t a must for his son, who, like his father, looks natural.
“My father never pushed me to play golf or cross country,” said Woods.
“Whatever Charlie decides, like I said, as long as he enjoys it. And that’s what he does. “
But there is no doubt that he has talent.
Former world number one Justin Thomas said he had to beat Charlie with a “Smack Talking” in a putting competition when he was only nine years old.
“We had a putting competition at Tiger maybe three years ago, the three of us,” he said.
“We played nine holes and it was straightforward, he (Charlie) has no advantage, we just bet. I think he was eight or nine years old at the time and it was one of three combined weeks that I was number one in the world.
“Charlie led into the last hole. Charlie mouthed and said, “Here I am, I’m nine years old and I’m beating the best player in the world and supposedly the best golfer of all time.”
“He did three puttings, I did it and I hit him. That shut him up pretty quickly. “
Thomas said the younger Woods was just as competitive as his wild father, and his father couldn’t argue.
“He’s competitive, yes. Our whole family is like that, ”said Woods.
“It’s competitive for us. We’re enjoying it and trying to figure out how to get around here and win. “
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