The distraction cost Woods a chance to qualify for match play.
July 22, 2026
2:48pm ET
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1 minute read
The sound of a cell phone camera caused Charlie Woods to make a fatal mistake that ultimately cost him his first appearance in the match play division of the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Charlie Woods, the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, took part in a 14-2 playoff at the Grace Course at Saucon Valley in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, early Wednesday morning. Hoping to qualify for match play for the first time, Woods bogeyed the first hole of the playoff and was eliminated.
Woods initially had a decent spot in the playoffs. The first two shots on the par-5 hole resulted in short chip shots from the rough. However, on the third shot, during Woods’ backswing, the sound of a cell phone camera caused a chip error, which led to Woods’ bogey.
Woods was clearly annoyed and could be heard saying, “Really, dude? I mean, come on.”
Woods, who missed the cut in his first two starts at the U.S. Juniors, overcame a slow start this year and played the final 31 holes at 1 under entering the playoffs (he was 63rd at 5 over going into the playoffs).
Woods, a high school senior, is expected to sign with Florida State while being part of the Seminoles’ 2027 freshman class, which also includes No. 1 junior Myles Russell.

