After Charlie Woods‘ PNC Championship debut in 2020, many expected he would follow in his father’s legacy and go to Stanford. Tiger Woods chose Stanford over UNLV in 1993, won the NCAA title in 1996, and turned pro soon after. Sam Woods, Charlie’s sister, is now a freshman there. But Charlie won’t follow the same path, and it’s confirmed.

“Excited to announce my commitment to play golf at Florida State University — go Noles!,” he wrote.

The 17-year-old has verbally committed to Florida State Seminoles golf, and the decision buries three decades of assumption. A source with knowledge of the commitment confirmed the news to Golf Channel. Brentley Romine first reported it this week, and now Charlie has also shared the news on his Instagram. While the announcement came on Tuesday, the direction itself had been in motion for some time.

In 2023, his high-school coach, Toby Harbeck, shared that Woods Jr. had already turned down Stanford, preferring schools in the Southeast. Charlie’s final choices were Florida State and Alabama. Stanford was not even on his list.

The 17-year-old will join Miles Russell, who is currently No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, forming one of the strongest incoming recruiting classes in college golf. Woods himself sits at No. 21 nationally after a rapid climb over the past year, a rise fueled by consistent high-level finishes against elite junior competition. The announcement drew congratulations from across the golf world, starting with his father.

“Congratulations, Charlie. I’m so proud of you for entering this next chapter of your life,” wrote his father, 82x Tour winner, Tiger Woods.

Woods had been closely involved in the recruiting process alongside his son. Speaking last fall, Tiger explained how different modern recruiting has become.

“It’s fun to be a part of the process with Charlie and go through it and see the opportunities he has created for himself by playing better, places he could play, wants to play, and ultimately will decide where he wants to go play,” he said.

The 15-time major champion said the recruiting process has undergone drastic changes. Phone calls have replaced letters. The process is more dynamic. The coaches can communicate faster, not just with the players but also with their families.

So it appears that Tiger Woods was on board with Charlie’s choice, and he wasn’t the only one to congratulate the youngster.

“Congratulations!!” wrote AJGA Golf.

Kai Trump, who has committed to the University of Miami, and went to the same school as Charlie, The Benjamin School, also commented, “🙌🙌🙌”

Tiger Woods is currently dating Kai’s mother, Vanessa Trump.

Charlie’s credentials stand independent of the surname. Last May, he won the Team TaylorMade Invitational by carding 70-65-66, finishing 15-under par and leaping from 609th to 14th in the AJGA rankings. A top-10 at the Junior PGA Championship followed that summer.

He has qualified for two consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs. Ranked ninth in the Class of 2027 per recent TUGR Junior Rankings, Charlie built a portfolio that belongs to an elite prospect, not coasting on his last name.

Last November at Mission Inn, Charlie shot a 4-under 68 to help Benjamin School win its second Florida Class 1A state title in three years. Trey Jones, the Seminoles coach, watched every shot from the gallery. That personal attention from the Seminoles’ head coach was a clear signal that Florida State wasn’t just recruiting a name, but a player.

Trey Jones and Florida State are positioned for college golf’s strongest incoming class

Jones cannot talk about Charlie publicly until signing day next November because of NCAA rules. Still, his presence next to the 15x major winner at the state championship spoke volumes. Jones’s personal attention is a major draw.

The Hall of Fame coach (inducted in December 2024) has a history of developing PGA Tour talent like Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger. He led the Seminoles to a national runner-up finish in 2024, and while the team currently sits outside the top 10, its recruiting momentum tells the real story.

Luke Clanton, who turned pro last year, is also an FSU alum. He was part of the famed 2024 team. And now Russell and Woods Jr., joining the team in the same year, change the landscape of ACC golf before either has played a college match.

Signing day is in November 2026, and the verbal commitment stands until then. By committing to the Seminoles, Charlie Woods isn’t just choosing a college; he’s stepping out of the legendary shadow of his father to build a legacy of his own in Tallahassee. How it pans out remains to be seen.