Tiger Woods Jr., son of renowned golfer Tiger Woods, shines in a significant victory. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus forcasts challenging times ahead.
The world of golf can be tough on kids with famous dads setting the bar high, like Tiger Woods will soon find out as his fame gets passed down. Jack Nicklaus has witnessed this difficulty firsthand, just before Scottie Scheffler won the Memorial for the second consecutive year.
Before Scheffler's win, Nicklaus spoke about another notable victory - Charlie Woods, Tiger's 16-year-old son, clinching his first American Junior Golf Association title. The internet was abuzz with both victories.
"It's a bloody nightmare for kids," Nicklaus said, drawing from his personal experience.
His eldest, Jackie, had won the celebrated North & South Amateur at Pinehurst and played college golf at North Carolina. But nothing compared to the publicity surrounding his third-oldest son, Gary. Before earning his PGA Tour card, Gary graced the cover of Sports Illustrated at just 16, with the headline proclaiming him as "The Next Nicklaus."
"It ran him out of golf," Nicklaus confessed.
Although Gary played four years at Ohio State (earning one title) and got through Q-school to earn a PGA Tour card, Nicklaus felt the media attention at such a young age was too much for his son.
"Gary would get off the 18th and run to the car so he didn't have to talk to the press for about two years," he said. "Sports Illustrated wanted to do a story. We said, 'No cover, none of that.' They put it right on the cover. It was amateurish what they did."
Nicklaus also criticized the excessive press coverage when his grandson, G.T., made an ace in the Par 3 Contest before the 2018 Masters.
"That's the kind of nonsense you've got to try to avoid with kids," Nicklaus said. "It's a struggle for them. It's a thousand times harder today. Charlie's a nifty little player. He's got a beautiful little swing. Does he fancy following his father? Does he understand what's going on?"
When Tiger was in Michigan last summer, his son Charlie qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur. Charlie attracted the biggest crowd, reportedly ten times larger than normal for that event. Or were they there to see Tiger?
Nicklaus can relate.
"Gary would always wonder, 'How many people will come out to watch my father watch me?'" Nicklaus chuckled.
He isn't fully aware of Charlie Woods's progress, only catching glimpses on television. Nicklaus admires the kid's swing, but many juniors boast impressive swings. The depth in today's top golfers is evident even before they start receiving courtesy cars.
Charlie Woods made his TV debut at age 11 in the PNC Championship, pairing with major champions. The son has grown, matured, and, after two years, Tiger allowed Charlie to take part in post-round interviews, unlike other professional golfers. He handled it well, too.
While sons often follow their fathers in golf, matching their success is uncommon. Old Tom and Young Tom Morris (each won the British Open four times) were unique cases.
The secret is allowing the children to enjoy the game and find their drive to compete.
"My kids played because they wanted to play, not because I wanted them to play," Nicklaus said. "That was my household rule. Don't play golf because of me - play golf because that's what you want to do. That's what they wanted to do.
"Then they found out over time they wouldn't reach where they wanted to go, and they chose to pursue other things."
Woods was known for dominating at every age group as he worked his way into the record book with three straight U.S. Juniors and three straight U.S. Amateurs. He didn't attempt to qualify for his first U.S. Open until he was exempt through the first stage when he was 16. He shot 151 at Lake Merced in San Francisco and didn't make it to Pebble Beach for the 1992 U.S. Open.
Charlie Woods has tried two U.S. Open qualifiers and hasn't advanced past the first stage yet. He's trying. He's competing. Tiger, conscious of the culture not usually allowing space for young golfers, has let Charlie be himself.
"I just keep reminding him, 'Just be you,'" Tiger said last year at the PNC Championship. "Charlie is Charlie. Yes, he's my son. He's gonna have the last name and be part of the sport. But I just want him to be himself, be his own person. That's what we'll always focus on. I'll always encourage it for him to carve his own name, carve his own path, and have his own journey."
The father is acutely aware that being the son of Tiger Woods could be more challenging than mastering golf itself.
References:[1] Tiger Woods helps Charlie Woods keep perspective, grow as a golfer, ESPN, https://www.espn.com/golf/tour-champ/story//id/32122909/tiger-woods-helps-charlie-woods-keep-perspective-grow-golfer[2] Q&A: Tiger Woods on family, life, and golf, ESPN, https://www.espn.com/golf/tour-champ/story//id/32040465/tiger-woods-qa-family-life-golf
- Jack Nicklaus, in a reference to his son Gary, stated that the media attention at a young age can be overwhelming and potentially drive a child out of golf, as Gary found it difficult to cope with the pressures.
- Nicklaus also expressed concern about the media frenzy surrounding Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods's 16-year-old son, after Charlie won an American Junior Golf Association title.
- Tiger Woods, acknowledging the challenges faced by his son in the spotlight, has encouraged Charlie to be himself and carve his own path in golf.
- As Charlie Woods progresses in golf, both he and Tiger Woods must navigate the cultural expectations and media attention that comes with being associated with such a prominent golfing dynasty.
