Charlie Woods continued his impressive run at the Junior PGA Championship, staying in contention for one of the two automatic qualifying spots for the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team. The 16-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods shot a 5-under 66 in the third round, leaving him tied for second place overall with a total score of 12-under 202 for the tournament.

A Mixed Round with Highs and Lows

Woods' third round was a rollercoaster of emotions. He managed nine birdies, including three runs of back-to-back birdies, but also mixed in four bogeys. Despite the ups and downs, Woods remains optimistic about his chances.

"It was so much fun," Woods said after his round. "I had a pretty fun chip on 16, but I just enjoyed being out there, having fun, and hopefully I have a good chance of winning tomorrow."

The Road to the Junior Ryder Cup

The Junior Ryder Cup is set to take place from September 23-25 at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black in New York. The top two finishers at the Junior PGA Championship will earn automatic spots on the U.S. team, with one additional player selected by the team captain.

Woods, currently ranked 20th in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) rankings, is unlikely to receive the captain's pick, making a strong finish in the final round crucial for his Ryder Cup aspirations.

Competition Heats Up

Leading the pack is Lunden Esterline, who carded a third-round 66 to reach 19-under for the tournament. Esterline, a 2027 Auburn commit from Andover, Kansas, is in prime position to secure one of the automatic spots.

Tied with Woods in second place is Pennson Badgett, who shot a 67 on Thursday. Badgett, a 2026 Tennessee commit from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, is also in strong contention.

Woods' Journey So Far

Woods, a rising junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, has had a mixed season. He won the AJGA's Team TaylorMade Invitational in May but missed the cut at the recent U.S. Junior Amateur. Despite these challenges, Woods remains focused on his goal of making the Junior Ryder Cup team.

As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Woods to see if he can secure his spot on the U.S. team and continue his journey in the world of competitive golf.