Paige Spiranac defends Charlie Woods after PGA Tour pre-qualifier struggle

Golf

By Jaclyn Hendricks

Paige Spiranac wants the masses to lay off Charlie Woods.

In a message shared Thursday on X, the longtime golf influencer urged critics to let the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods “develop his game without constant media coverage” after Charlie fell short of qualifying for a PGA Tour event.

“How about we let Charlie Woods develop his game without constant media coverage. Golf is mentally challenging enough without all the added eyeballs on him and pressure,” the 30-year-old Spiranac posted to her nearly one million followers.

Charlie participated in a pre-qualifying event Thursday at the Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, in hopes of advancing to next week’s Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens.

The high school freshman finished with a 16-over 86.

He shot a 12 on the seventh hole, a par-four.

Despite the outcome Thursday, Charlie has a bright future in the sport ahead.

In November, Charlie helped The Benjamin School take home the Florida high school state golf championship.

Tiger, 48, supported Charlie at the tournament, according to photos provided to The Palm Beach Post.

The 15-time major winner — who shares son Charlie and daughter Sam, 16, with ex Elin Nordegren — returned to the circuit earlier this month for his first tournament of the year, the Genesis Invitational.

Tiger was forced to withdraw after battling the flu.

As for Spiranac, who is widely known for her golf content on social media, she was lauded by fans Thursday in response to her Charlie comments.

“Well said Paige. Let this young man develop and find his own path minus the scrutiny,” one X user responded.

“Agreed,” another user wrote. “He’s got enough pressure on him already being tigers son let alone added media pressure and the game is hard enough.”