The 49th Junior PGA Championship at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana, delivered a thrilling showcase of young talent, with Charlie Woods stealing the spotlight in Round 2. The 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods turned heads with a spectacular performance, vaulting into contention and proving his mettle on the challenging Kampen-Cosler Course at Purdue University. Here’s a recap of Charlie Woods’ standout showing at the Junior PGA Championship, packed with golf action and leaderboard updates.
Charlie Woods’ Round 2 Masterclass
After a solid but unspectacular 1-under 70 in Round 1, Charlie Woods unleashed a dazzling 6-under 66 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, during the second round of the Junior PGA Championship. His scorecard lit up with nine birdies, including a scorching 5-under 31 on the front nine, showcasing his flair for golf on the tight fairways of Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. Despite late bogeys on the par-5 16th and par-3 17th, Woods finished at 7-under for the tournament, securing a tie for fifth alongside Carson Kittsley of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This performance marked a triumphant rebound for Woods, who struggled the previous week at the U.S. Junior Amateur, missing the cut with a 14-over score. At West Lafayette, his precision and poise drew a large crowd, with fans marveling at his ability to navigate the Pete Dye-designed course, which previously hosted the 2008 NCAA Championship. Woods’ surge up the leaderboard—jumping 42 spots from T43—has him firmly in the hunt as the Junior PGA Championship heads into Round 3.
Leaderboard Breakdown: Fierce Competition at Birck Boilermaker
The 49th Junior PGA Championship features a stacked field of 156 junior golfers from around the globe, and the leaderboard reflects the intensity of the competition. Leading the pack is Lunden Esterline from Andover, Kansas, who sits at an impressive 14-under, seven shots clear of Charlie Woods and the chasing pack. Here’s how the top of the leaderboard looked after Round 2 at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex:
- 1. Lunden Esterline: -14
- T2. Max VanderMolen: -9
- T2. Chase Yenser: -9
- 4. Zenghao Hou: -8
- T5. Charlie Woods: -7
- T5. Carson Kittsley: -7
- T7. Jessy Huebner, Tyler Mawhinney, Kailer Stone, Silas Haarer, Drew Woolworth, Sam Carraher, Ronin Banerjee: -6
With a projected cut line at 1-under, the top 60 players and ties will advance to Thursday’s third round, and Charlie Woods is well-positioned to make the cut and continue his climb at the Junior PGA Championship.
Woods’ Journey and Fan Frenzy in West Lafayette
The Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex buzzed with excitement as over 200 fans followed Charlie Woods, eager to witness the next chapter in his budding golf career. The West Lafayette course, with its challenging layout and tight fairways, tested Woods’ skills, but his consistent drives and birdie barrage proved he’s a force in junior golf. Local fans, like Joe Couch of West Lafayette, expressed awe at watching the son of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods compete on a course they know well. “It’s surreal seeing Charlie Woods play here,” Couch said, reflecting on his lifelong fandom of Tiger.
Woods’ performance also carries weight beyond the leaderboard. A strong finish at the Junior PGA Championship could secure his spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, set to face Europe later in 2025. After his Round 2 heroics, Woods briefly held solo second at 9-under before settling at T5, keeping his golf dreams alive.
What’s Next for Charlie Woods?
As the 49th Junior PGA Championship moves to Round 3, Charlie Woods will look to maintain his momentum on the Kampen-Cosler Course. With seven shots separating him from leader Lunden Esterline, Woods faces a tough challenge but has the talent to close the gap. The Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana, remains the stage for his quest to etch his name alongside past champions like Inbee Park and Trevor Immelman.
For golf fans, Charlie Woods’ performance at the Junior PGA Championship is a reminder of his potential to carry the Woods legacy forward. Stay tuned for more updates from West Lafayette as the tournament unfolds!
