KEY FACTS
- What happened: Charlie Woods, 17, signed his National Letter of Intent to play men’s golf at Florida State University.
- When: Friday, November 6, 2026
- Where: The Benjamin School, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
- Who was there: Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren, Jordan Cameron — plus Charlie’s coaches and classmates
- What’s next: Charlie joins Florida State’s 2027 recruiting class.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren stood side by side on Friday, smiling for a rare family photo as their son Charlie signed to play college golf. The 17-year-old made it official at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, putting pen to paper on his commitment to Florida State University. For a family whose split played out in public, the moment felt warm, easy, and entirely about Charlie.
What Happened at Charlie Woods’ Signing Ceremony?
Friday was National Signing Day at Benjamin, and Charlie joined his classmates in marking their college commitments. Tiger wore a garnet Florida State shirt and a black cap. Elin wore a maroon dress. They stood on either side of Charlie for photos, and the images spread fast.
Elin’s longtime partner, former NFL tight end Jordan Cameron, was there too, along with the three children they share. Charlie’s coaches and school staff joined the group. Rob McNamara, an executive at Tiger’s TGR company, also attended. In short, the whole support system showed up.
Charlie first announced his verbal commitment back in February. “Excited to announce my commitment to play golf at Florida State University — go Noles!” he wrote at the time. Friday turned that promise into a signed letter of intent. Sports Illustrated was among the outlets that captured the family celebration.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren: A Rare Public Moment
Photos of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren together are rare. The pair married in 2004 and divorced in August 2010, after reports of his infidelity ended the marriage. Since then, they have mostly kept their co-parenting out of the spotlight. Public appearances together have been rare.
That is what made Friday stand out. Both parents showed up and let the day belong to their son. They had also appeared together in February, at Benjamin’s state championship golf ceremony. And in December 2024, they reunited at the PNC Championship. Tiger played alongside Charlie there, and their daughter Sam worked as his caddie.
Elin has built a blended family with Cameron, her partner since 2017. The couple now raises three young children together. Tiger, meanwhile, confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump in March 2025. Page Six has reported that the couple has discussed marriage, while other reports say he is in no rush. For now, though, the focus is Charlie. Friday showed two parents firmly on the same team. It was a reminder that famous families often come back into the same frame for their children’s biggest milestones.
Elin Nordegren in 2003, the year before she married Tiger Woods. Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho, public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Who Is Charlie Woods? His Road to Florida State
Charlie arrives at Florida State with a resume of his own. He is ranked 133rd in the American Junior Golf Association’s Rolex Rankings. In May 2025, he won the AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational. And on Monday, he shot a 1-under 70 to help Benjamin win a Florida regional title.
He is also a two-time Florida high school state team champion. In September, he signed a name, image and likeness deal with TaylorMade, his father’s longtime equipment brand. That deal will follow him into college golf.
Florida State’s 2027 recruiting class also includes Miles Russell, another junior golf standout. Together, they give the Seminoles a much-talked-about incoming class. Like other young athletes whose parents shaped their rise, Charlie has had world-class guidance at home. Now he is turning it into results of his own.
Woods Family Timeline: From Marriage to Signing Day
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren marry. |
| 2009 | Their son Charlie is born. |
| 2010 | The couple divorces in August. |
| 2019 | Tiger receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with Sam and Charlie beside him at the White House. |
| 2020 | Tiger and Charlie make their debut as a team at the PNC Championship. |
| May 2025 | Charlie wins the AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational. |
| September 2026 | Charlie signs an NIL deal with TaylorMade. |
| November 2, 2026 | Charlie shoots 1-under 70 as Benjamin wins a Florida regional title. |
| November 6, 2026 | Charlie signs his National Letter of Intent with Florida State. |
| 2027 | Charlie joins the Florida State men’s golf program. |
Tiger Woods with his children, Sam and Charlie, at the White House in May 2019, when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Photo: Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead, public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
What Charlie Woods’ Florida State Choice Means
Florida State gives Charlie a big stage and room to grow. He will play in the ACC, one of college golf’s toughest conferences, against future tour players. For a 17-year-old still building his game, that weekly test matters most.
The move also shows how much the sport has changed. College golfers can now sign NIL deals and earn while they compete. Charlie’s TaylorMade deal is an early example of that new world. At the same time, his junior results show a player earning his place on merit, not just on his name. The AJGA win, the regional title, and the state championships back that up.
There is a father-son thread here, too. Tiger and Charlie have become a beloved duo at the PNC Championship. The December event pairs major champions with family members. Those rounds gave fans a first look at Charlie’s game. EssentiallySports noted how the whole family gathered to mark this next step. Now Florida State will give him a stage of his own. Like other athletes who carry their families’ stories with them, Charlie is writing his own chapter in public. Figure skater Maxim Naumov spoke openly about his parents on television this year.
Landis Green on Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus, where Charlie Woods will play college golf. Photo: “Looking for an A”, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
What’s Next for Charlie Woods — and for Tiger?
Charlie joins Florida State in 2027 as part of the Seminoles’ recruiting class. Until then, he will finish his senior year at Benjamin and keep playing junior events. The next big date is December’s PNC Championship, where father and son usually team up.
Tiger’s own future is the open question. He has not played a tournament in about two years. ESPN reported in late October that sources expect him to return, barring another physical setback. For now, his proudest role looks a lot like Friday’s: dad in a Florida State shirt, standing beside his son.
As for Elin, she keeps her family life private, and Friday was no exception. She came, she celebrated, and she let Charlie have the day. Sixteen years after a very public split, the Woods family photo told a simpler story. Two parents, one proud son, and a future in garnet and gold.
Sources
- Sports Illustrated — “Tiger Woods and Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren Reunite for Son Charlie’s Major Golf Milestone”
- Heavy — “Tiger Woods Celebrates Major Personal News With Son Charlie”
- EssentiallySports — “Charlie Woods’ Big Career Milestone Brings Tiger Woods and Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren Together for a Rare Public Appearance”
- Page Six reporting on Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump, as cited by Heavy
