Last year, in this column, I wrote that I had sympathy for Charlie Woods. That he’d be unlikely to live an ‘anonymous’ life given the fact he’s the son of Tiger and that he seems to have embarked on a golf career.
His father made his television debut at the age of three and has been in the spotlight ever since. Just like a real-life Truman Burbank in the 1998 movie The Truman Show.
Which meant that when he had a meltdown in his personal life, it unravelled in the public glare. Every subsequent high and low has been captured in high definition, but now, finally, Tiger is comfortable. And happy. And genuinely accepting of those members of society he previously regarded as some sort of ocean bottom-feeders – the media.
When he concluded his final interviews at the 2021 PNC Championship in December, Tiger said a series of thank yous to them. Such genuine interaction was unheard of in days gone by. Now 46, a 15-time Major champion and 82-time winner on the PGA Tour, he’s finally content. That winner’s instinct will kick in again if, or when, the time comes. But he’s now more human being and less machine.
When the 2021 PNC Championship came along Tiger and 12-year-old Charlie teamed up to finish runners-up behind John Daly and his 18-year-old son John Daly II. While social media exploded with comparable mannerisms between Tiger and Charlie and sponsors and corporates licked their lips in anticipation of the dollars to be made, the very real truth dawned on those who actually follow golf.
Tiger and Charlie are living their best lives, possibly belatedly, but for Tiger better late than never. You can see the bond between father and son and there’s Love with a capital ‘L’. Charlie for his part clearly loves his dad and he loves playing golf. Plus, he’s really very good at it.
However, Tiger knows, and probably Charlie knows, that he won’t become the best golfer in the world. Right now he sits outside the top 100 in his 12-13 age-group ranking – they have rankings for these kids?! – and his average round is 83, which makes him, roughly, a 10 handicap.
With his swing, his talent, his opportunities in life and his love for the game he might even come down to a plus-1 or plus-2 golfer. Which is very good, but it’s not near the level if you want to be a winning professional.
All of which is a good thing. Because it means he will be able to have other interests in his life that Tiger didn’t, and become a well-rounded young adult. Charlie will come to know that there’s more to life than trying to be the best golfer in the world. And Tiger will also be happy with that.
I think the serious media will respect the fact Charlie is of public interest – and in this new world of clickbait and instant gratification even the media bottom-feeders will ‘get it’ – but that no one is building Charlie up as the ‘next Tiger’ or a Major champion in waiting.
The hope, and expectation, is that as Charlie Woods grows into a young man, he will be called Charlie and not ‘son of Tiger’. That even if the cameras and phones are around him, he will be allowed to live his own best life, on and off the course.
Formula One is still grappling with Mick Schumacher, who was seen on the back row of the grid for much of his debut 2021 season. He’s still called ’son of Michael’, and there are those who hope he can one day be as successful as his dad.
That won’t happen, but as is the case with Charlie, first prize will be that he will be allowed to feel comfortable in his own skin without unrealistic expectations or constant media harassment.
– This column first appeared in the February 2022 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine. Subscribe here!
