Tiger Woods accepts special exemption to play in US Open next month – Firstpost

15-time major winner Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption into the 124th U.S. Open next month at Pinehurst, the American Golf Association announced Thursday. The 48-year-old golf legend, a three-time US Open champion, struggled to complete 72 holes after suffering serious leg injuries in a car accident in 2021.

But Woods said he hoped to play once a month this year and finished 60th at last month’s Masters, completing 72 holes in a major for the first time since returning after the 2022 Masters crash.

“The US Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career,” Woods said in a statement.

“I am honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited about the opportunity to compete at this year’s US Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.”

The tournament will take place June 13-16 at the famous North Carolina course, where US Open titles were won by the late Payne Stewart in 1999, New Zealander Michael Campbell in 2005 and German Martin Kaymer in 2014.

Since 2013, Woods has completed 72 holes at the US Open just once, placing 21st in 2019 just two months after winning the Masters. He missed the cut in 2015, 2018 and 2020 and did not play the other years.

Woods won the U.S. Open in 2000, 2002 and 2008 and his 82 PGA Tour triumphs tie Sam Snead for the all-time record.

Woods will make his 23rd appearance at the US Open, playing the tournament for the first time since 2020 at Winged Foot.

“The history of the US Open could not be written without Tiger Woods,” said USGA Championships Manager John Bodenhamer.

“From his 15-stroke victory at Pebble Beach in 2000 to his inspiring victory over a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this championship is simply better when Tiger is on the field and his accomplishments in the game have undoubtedly made it an easy decision for our special exemption committee.

Woods is scheduled to make his next major start in two weeks at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, during the PGA Championship.