Charlie Woods deserved so much better than these shameless fans at the Cognizant Classic pre-qualifier

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Now, here’s Blake Schuster on Charlie Woods.

Plenty of golf fans woke up on Thursday morning thinking less about this week’s stop at the Mexico Open on the PGA Tour and more about a pre-qualifier event in Hobe Sound, Florida for next week’s Cognizant Classic.

That’s where 15-year-old Charlie Woods was attempting to play his way into a PGA debut. The odds were fully stacked against him. In order for Woods to become one of the youngest players ever to start a PGA Tour event, he needed to place in the top five (and ties) after 18 holes, then finish in the top four of Monday’s true qualifier. Perhaps unsurprisingly — because he is both still a child who is developing his game and also going against adults twice his age — the son of Tiger Woods didn’t come close to advancing to the next round of qualification. Charlie Woods shot 16 over par to finish with an 86.

As his scorecard made the rounds on social media, the comments typically ranged from “Wow, he plays just like me!” to “What a bust!”.

It turns out there was much going on at Lost Lake Golf Club than showed up on the stat sheet. As word got out that Woods was entering the pre-qualifier, shameless “fans” stormed the course as though it were an extension of the WM Phoenix Open, accosting Woods throughout his round, according to The Palm Beach Post:

“As a frustrated Woods made his way up the fairway, spectators began to realize that there were no ropes to bar them from the course. In turn, they walked very close to Woods on the fairway, ignoring repeated requests from tournament officials to stay on the cart path.

A disgruntled fan asked one official: “Who are you? The fire marshal?”

Another fan reportedly approached Charlie while he was putting, demanding he sign a copy of Tiger’s book. A grandmother told The Palm Beach Post she pulled her granddaughter out of school hoping Charlie would notice her.

This behavior would feel beyond gross if it were happening to a pro golfer playing a leisurely round at a municipal course. To treat a 15-year-old child like this as he tries to measure his talents alongside some of the best players in the world is downright disturbing.

Plenty of blame surely falls on the event organizers for not being more prepared. And yes, Woods had a two-man security detail and his mom with him on the course. None of that matters if a throng of deranged fans are running out on the course to disrupt the round.

Simply put, the kid deserved better.

Charlie Woods may become a great golfer one day — maybe even a pretty good pro, too. But we’ll never know when entitled losers like those who showed up in Hobe Sound refuse to give him the space to grow and develop without worrying about his safety on the course.

Jordan Poole, please be a better teammate

As a Wizards fan, misery is my middle name. I completely understand that my favorite basketball team is going to be bad. But does it also have to be so embarrassing? The basketball gods are cruel.

Jordan Poole, who legitimately might be the worst player in the NBA, had the nerve to complain about going to the bench after shooting a cool 4-17 against the Nuggets on Thursday in a 20-point loss that somehow wasn’t even that close.

Spoke to a displeased Jordan Poole postgame about the Wizards' moving him to the bench: "If there’s any common sense, with the situation, you should know how I feel. But I’m just going to come out, do what I can do to help the team, keep it moving."

— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) February 23, 2024

“If there’s any common sense, with the situation, you should know how I feel. But I’m just going to come out, do what I can do to help the team, keep it moving.”

Like, come on. How is this your reaction, my guy? You cannot say that after making this play.

jordan poole is trying his best. pic.twitter.com/tqflUziN8W

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 23, 2024

And I sat there and watched the entire game, man. Being a fan is so stupid. Never do it.

A quintuple-double for Christmas

I didn’t even know it was possible to put up a quintuple-double, but here we are.

Kieonna Christmas, a senior at Fonda Fultonville High School in New York, posted a quintuple-double on Thursday, according to Max Preps. That’s double figures in five statistical categories, folks.

This is such a rare accomplishment. Only 13 players in the history of prep basketball have ever posted a quintuple-double. Fam. That’s quite a stat. Millions of people have played this sport. Christmas is now in a class of 13 after her game.

I don’t care what level it’s on — that’s one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen on a basketball court.

Photo Friday: Sunset drive

This is Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda ripping the Bahrain International Circuit during day three of F1 testing.

This sunset is EVERYTHING. F1 is such a beautiful sport.

Quick hits: Sleeper NFL free agents … Weird NBA Emirates patches … and more

— Cory Woodroof has 15 sleeper NFL free agents you need to be keeping an eye on.

— NBA fans are not happy about the Emirates patches on the NBA official’s shirts. This isn’t a good look. Bryan Kalbrosky has more.

— Travis Kelce and Katy Perry singing ‘Bad Blood’ is going to be one of the most fun things you watch today. Here’s Caroline Darney with more.

— Bryan also put together this wonderful interview with Tyrese Maxey that you should absolutely check out.

— Christian D’Andrea has one cost-saving move for every NFL team this offseason here.

— Seeing Kirk Cousins the moment after he learns about his torn Achilles is gut-wrenching. Here’s Rob Zeglinski with more.

Thanks so much for reading, folks! We appreciate your time. Hope you’ll be back with us on Monday! We’ll talk to you then.

Peace. We out.

-Sykes