Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption to play in the upcoming U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, marking the first time the three-time champion has required an exemption to participate. Woods has been exempt from qualifying for every U.S. Open since his debut in 1995 as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. However, his five-year exemption from winning the 2019 Masters expired last year.
The decision to grant Woods the exemption was expected, with the USGA being selective about who receives such exemptions. The last exemption was awarded in 2021 to Phil Mickelson. Notably, golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have also received special exemptions in the past.
Woods has a strong history with the U.S. Open, having won the championship three times in his career. His most dominant victory came in 2000 at Pebble Beach, where he won by a record margin of 15 shots. Woods also clinched titles in 2002 at Bethpage Black and in 2008 at Torrey Pines, just before undergoing knee surgery.
Expressing his gratitude for the exemption, Woods stated, 'The U.S. Open is a truly special event for our game and has helped define my career. I’m honored to receive this exemption and excited for the opportunity to compete, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that holds great significance for the game.'
The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 13-16 at Pinehurst No. 2, where Woods has had previous success, finishing third in 1999 and as a runner-up in 2005. Woods missed the 2014 Open at Pinehurst due to back surgeries.
Woods' connection with the USGA dates back to his amateur days, where he won multiple U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur titles. Earlier this year, he was honored with the prestigious Bob Jones Award by the USGA.
John Bodenhamer, the USGA's chief championships officer, emphasized Woods' impact on the U.S. Open, stating, 'The championship is simply better when Tiger is in the field, and his accomplishments in the game made this an easy decision for our special exemption committee.'
This year's U.S. Open will mark Woods' return to the championship since 2020, with his absence in 2021 due to a car accident and subsequent injuries. Despite these setbacks, Woods is set to compete in the upcoming PGA Championship and plans to play in the remaining three majors of the year.
