After agreeing to a special exemption to compete in the 124th major on Thursday, Tiger Woods will play at the US Open for the 23rd time. The United States Golf Association (USGA), the major tournament’s organizers, granted the 48-year-old a place in the 156-player field set at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina. Although Woods did not automatically qualify for the field, he will now attempt to win his fourth US Open championship.
With this permission granted, Wood declared: “The US Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career.”
“I’m honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s US Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game,” he added.
Wood’s career in the US Open
Woods’ career at the tournament has been memorable. After winning two more US Open championships in 2002 and 2008—the latter one coming despite a leg fracture and ruptured ligaments—the 15-time major champion secured his first title in 2000 at Pebble Beach in a manner that was historically favored.
However, Woods did not participate in the Los Angeles tournament the year before as he completed his recuperation from ankle surgery due to the long-term physical effects of his 2021 car disaster.
Despite his occasional playing appearances, which have caused his world ranking to drop to world No. 789, the organizers found it “easy” to extend Woods’ invitation for a third visit to the event because of his major league history.
“The story of the US 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,” USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer declared.
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Source: CNN