Tiger Woods WILL play in US Open after accepting special exemption for first time in 28-year career
TIGER WOODS will be able to compete in next months US Open, it has been announced.
Golf legend Woods revealed he has received and accepted a special exemption into the 124th US Open to be played between June 13 and June 16.
Woods, 48, failed to qualify for the US Open for the first time in his career.
His win at The Masters in 2019 granted him a five-year exemption into tournaments, but that ran out earlier this year.
However, he has been handed a way into the tournament by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
It is the first special exemption the body has given out since Phil Mickelson in 2021.
On the exemption, Woods said: “The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career.
“I’m honoured to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.”
Woods won the 2000, 2002 and 2008 editions of the US Open and is now in line to make his 23rd appearance, and his third at Pinehurst No2, so long as he remains healthy enough to do so.
He has been fighting against injury for some time, most recently enduring subtalar fusion surgery in April 2023.
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USGA chief John Bodenhamer said: “The story of the U.S. Open could not be written without Tiger Woods.
“From his 15-stroke victory at Pebble Beach in 2000 to his inspiring win on a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this championship is simply better when Tiger is in the field, and his accomplishments in the game undoubtedly made this an easy decision for our special exemption committee.”
Woods has nine USGA titles overall matched only by Bobby Jones, as well as 15 major championship victories which puts him second overall to Jack Nicklaus.
In total the American has 82 PGA Tour honours to his name.