Woods accepts special exemption to play in US Open

Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption to play in the US Open, the United States Golf Association announced on Thursday.

Woods, who won the US Open in 2000, 2002 and 2008, will be making his 23rd overall appearance at the tournament when it begins on 13 June at Pinehurst, North Carolina.

"The story of the US Open could not be written without Tiger Woods," USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said in a statement.

"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."

See you at Pinehurst, Tiger. pic.twitter.com/yBQ47RrnW9

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) May 2, 2024

The US Open does not provide lifetime exemptions to past champions, unlike the PGA Championship or Masters.

Woods, who is currently No 789 in the Official World Golf Ranking, initially was not eligible for the US Open after his five-year exemption for winning the 2019 Masters expired.

"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'm honoured 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."

Woods, 48, won the last of his 15 majors at Augusta in 2019.

This year, he has withdrawn from the Genesis Invitational and limped to a 60th-place finish at the Masters.

He has eyes on competing at the PGA Championship in two weeks at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.