Charlie Woods vaults into contention at Junior PGA Championships

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th July, 14:22 2025

Charlie Woods lines up a putt Tuesday, July 29, 2025, during the Junior PGA Championship at the Purdue Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Charlie Woods vaulted into contention at the Junior PGA Championships with a 6-under par 66 in the second round in West Lafayette, Ind. on Wednesday.

After carding a 70 during the first round on the Kampen-Cosler Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, Woods birdied six of his first eight holes en route to making the turn in 5-under 31 on Wednesday. He birdied three of his first six holes on the back to reach 9 under for the event before consecutive bogeys dropped Woods back to 7 under.

He is seven shots behind leader Lunden Esterline, a 2027 Auburn commit, with Max VanderMolen and Chase Yenser tied at 9 under with 36 holes to play.

Woods, 16, failed to qualify for the match play rounds at last week's U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Dallas. He is now seeking one of the two automatic spots on the Junior Ryder Cup team that will go to the top two finishers this week. There is also one captain's pick, although Woods is likely not in line to be selected for it.

A rising junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla., Woods won the AJGA's Team TaylorMade Invitational in May. He has not yet made a college commitment.

--Field Level Media