Charlie Woods advances to playoff in U.S. Junior Amateur after even-par round

Charlie Woods, 17, recorded an even-par 70 on Saucon Valley’s Grace Course Tuesday, bringing his 36-hole stroke-play total to five strokes over par and placing him at T-63. The result qualified him for the 14-for-2 playoff that will determine the final spots in the match-play field, scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. ET on holes 1, 5 and 18 of the Grace Course.

Woods’ second round featured a two-under 33 on the front nine, highlighted by birdies on holes 16 and 18 and an eagle on the 332-yard, par-4 13th. He incurred bogeys on holes 4 and 7, leaving him just above the cut line.

This marks Woods’ third consecutive appearance at the U.S. Junior Amateur; he missed match play in his first two outings, posting rounds of 82-80 in 2024 and 80-74 last year. If he emerges from the playoff as the 63rd seed, he could face second-seed Miles Russell, a future Florida State teammate who shot a 5-under 66 and shares medalist honors.

Other qualifiers include Vanderbilt incoming freshman Tyler Mawhinney (T-5), Czechia’s Louis Klein (T-11), and several top junior prospects such as Giuseppe Puebla, Ronin Banerjee, Jessy Huebner, Luke Ringkamp and Hampton Beebe. Defending champion Hamilton Coleman missed the cut, becoming the first champion to do so since at least 2002.

"Woods’ second round, which followed Monday’s 5-over 76 on the Old and started Tuesday afternoon on No. 10, included a 2-under 33 first nine, which was highlighted by birdies at Nos. 16 and 18 and an eagle after driving the green at the 332-yard, par-4 13th," the tournament report noted.

"If Woods is the first player to make it through the playoff he would be the 63rd seed and face Russell, the No. 2 seed, in the first round of matches," the report added.