Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption to play in the 124th US Open the USGA has announced.
Woods failed to qualify for the US Open for the first time in his professional career, having played a limited schedule in recent years due to injuries that dropped his world ranking to 789.
The world No.1's five-year exemption from his 2019 victory at The Masters ended earlier this year, and the US Open differs from other majors in that it only grants a 10-year exemption to its previous winners.
Woods has won the US Open three times – 2000, 2002 and 2008 – and the 48-year-old will return to the event for the first time since 2020 when it will be held June 13-16 at Pinehurst No.2.
“The US Open is a really special event for our sport and it has helped define my career,” Woods said. “I'm honored to receive this exemption and couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year's US Open, especially at Pinehurst, which is a place that means a lot to the sport.”
Woods finished second to Michael Campbell the last time the US Open was held at Pinehurst Resort in 2005, this year's event will be his 23rd career start at the third major of the year.
“The story of the US Open could not be written without Tiger Woods,” said USGA Chief Championships John Bodenhamer.
Source link
