Tiger Woods was awarded a particular exemption into the U.S. Open at Pinehurst on Thursday.
Darren Riehl
Guess who’s again?
On Thursday afternoon, the USGA introduced that it awarded a particular exemption to Tiger Woods, the 15-time main champion and three-time U.S. Open winner, to compete on this yr’s area at host course Pinehurst No. 2. Woods has accepted the invitation and plans to compete within the U.S. Open, which might mark his fourth begin of 2024 ought to he additionally tee it up on the PGA Championship in Could.
The information comes after Woods’ exemption into the nationwide championship lapsed in 2023, the top of a five-year exemption for main championship winners from Tiger’s triumph on the 2019 Masters. With out an exemption into the occasion, Woods would have been anticipated to earn his means into the sphere by U.S. Open qualifying, a feat which may have confirmed inconceivable given the taking part in limitations on his physique.
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Ultimately, the USGA’s “particular exemption committee” deemed that path pointless — granting Woods an exemption into the occasion. Woods’ exemption marks simply the second time such efforts have been used to grant a participant entrance into the occasion within the final 5 years and the primary since Phil Mickelson at Torrey Pines in 2021.
In keeping with the USGA’s personal tips, particular exemptions are awarded “purely based mostly on a participant’s extraordinary efficiencys through the years, particularly in USGA championships, further main championships, time spent as World No. 1, Tour wins, in addition to latest performances/rating.”
“The U.S. Open, our nationwide championship, is a really particular occasion for our recreation and one which has helped outline my profession,” Woods mentioned in a press launch asserting the exemption. “I’m honored to obtain this exemption and couldn’t be extra excited for the chance to compete on this yr’s U.S. Open, particularly at Pinehurst, a venue which means a lot to the sport.”
The USGA’s choice so as to add Woods to the sphere comes on the identical day that LIV Golf’s Talor Gooch introduced he wouldn’t be trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. Gooch, 32, has received 3 times in LIV relationship again to early 2023, however his lack of main championship exemptions or Official World Golf Rating factors left him needing to take part in U.S. Open qualifying to earn a spot within the nationwide championship area. He’s performed in 11 profession majors, the place his finest profession end is a T14 on the 2022 Masters.
Woods, however, is the winner of 9 USGA titles, together with the ’00, ’02 and ’08 U.S. Opens, and is broadly thought to be one of many biggest golfers ever to compete on the skilled degree.
“The story of the U.S. Open couldn’t be written with out Tiger Woods,” John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer, mentioned in a launch. “From his 15-stroke victory at Pebble Seaside in 2000 to his inspiring win on a damaged leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this championship is just higher when Tiger is within the area, and his accomplishments within the recreation undoubtedly made this a simple choice for our particular exemption committee.”
