Charlie Woods has been tipped to earn huge sponsorship money even if he never plays professional golf.
Woods, 13, caught the eye over the weekend as he teamed up with father Tiger at the PNC Championship, with his approach and swing drawing similarities with the golf legend.
Tiger has previously insisted he would not put any pressure on his son to follow in his footsteps as he competes in junior competitions across the States.
But even if he doesn't turn pro, Woods could earn eye-watering amounts of money through NIL contracts - related to his name, image and likeness - as has been seen with college sports stars in recent months.
“Charlie is in rare air, just from name recognition alone. He’s similar to Arch Manning, Bronny James and even Shaquille O’Neal’s sons in that way. He’s probably looking at seven figures as soon as he’s eligible," NIL Platform Opendorse director Sam Weber said.
“He’s not a risk for advertisers because of his name recognition alone. Charlie could cash in even if he never plays pro golf.”
Weber went on to suggest Nike and other sponsors could soon take a keen interest in the teenager, having worked closely with his father in the past. He added: "You can almost see the Nike commercial with the two of them."
A number of golfers have talked up Woods Jnr in the past, with Padraig Harrington suggesting he is way ahead of some golfing greats when they were his age.
“I think he is pretty darn good. It looks like Charlie's life is going to be in golf at this stage. And that's only looking from the outside," he said.
“It's very interesting for a 13-year-old. And he did it when he was 11. It's hard to support the angles in a golf swing at 11, he could hold the club at the right position.
“I bet you if you went back and looked at Rory McIlroy at 12 years of age, he was hitting a big loopy, you know, drop kicking. Because that's what they do, kids. But Charlie has always managed to pressure the golf ball, which is exceptional at that age.”
Tiger meanwhile is ready to take a break as he continues his recovery from the injuries he sustained in a serious car crash. Following the PNC Championship, he admitted his son and daughter Sam motivated him to get back on the course.
"Just to be able to see their faces and see their smiles and to hear their words of encouragement," he said.
"I’ve had some tough days, as he’s known, but just to have their support and their love — you know, I’m not going to get teary-eyed here — but it has meant so much to me to be able to get to this point in life. And forget the stage that we’re playing on, but just to get to this point in life."
