Tiger Woods’ advice to son Charlie speaks volumes as Rory McIlroy referenced

The golf legend gave a surprise response when asked about his son’s golf progress.

Charlie Woods is looking to forge a golf career of his own (Image: Getty)

Tiger Woods has urged his son Charlie to copy Rory McIlroy’s swing instead of his own, as the aspiring golfer looks to make a name for himself. Woods is renowned as the greatest golfer of his generation and perhaps even the best of all time, with the American having transcended the sport.

A winner of 15 major championships, Woods’ legacy is far greater than any current golfer on the PGA or LIV circuits, with every professional having no doubt looked up to him as the benchmark at one point. However, the golfing giant doesn’t want his son to do the same, with Woods having instead told him to study videos of McIlroy on the course instead.

Commenting on his son’s progression, Woods said: “I told [Charlie], don’t copy my swing. Copy Rory’s.” A bold statement, but given Woods has been around for the entirety of McIlroy’s professional career and has seen how the Northern Irishman has developed, it’s not a surprise Woods speaks so highly of his competitor, but also friend.

Woods hasn’t been afraid to show a keen interest in his son’s career and has even carried the bag for him in the past. When quizzed about what it was like having one of the best-ever golfers caddie for him, Woods Jnr revealed: “It’s great. We just stay in our own little world, and we just take it one shot at a time, and he puts me in my place. He’s like, I’ll talk about the next T shot, he’s like, No, we’re hanging. This is the shot, we’re gonna focus on focus up, where this is where you know well today.”

Tiger Woods has opened up about his son’s development (Image: Getty)

Charlie will have another chance to watch McIlroy’s swing when the current green jacket holder competes at this week’s Open Championship. It’s the first time since 2019 that The Open has been held in Northern Ireland, with McIlroy hoping for a considerably better outing than that time around, given he missed the cut completely.

On his return to Portrush, McIlroy explained: “I think in 2019 I probably tried to isolate. I think it’s better for everyone if I embrace it. I think it’s better for me. It’s nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times. But it’s also nice for the person that is seeing you for the first time in a few years. It just makes for a better interaction and not trying to hide away from it. I think it’s more of, embrace everything that’s going to come my way this week and not try to shy away from it or hide away from it. I think that’ll make for a better experience for everyone involved.”