The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced Thursday that Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption to play in the 124th U.S. Open.
Woods will make his 23rd start at the U.S. Open, his third at No. 2 Pinehurst and his first at Winged Foot Golf Club since 2020. It was the first time in Woods’ career that he failed to qualify for the U.S. Open on his own merits. His five-year exemption from major tournaments after winning the 2019 Masters expired earlier this year. Woods, 48, won the 2000, 2002 and 2008 U.S. Open Championships, 12 other major championships and 82 wins on the PGA Tour during his Hall of Fame career. . His nine USGA titles are tied only by Bobby Jones, including three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles (1991-1993) followed by three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles (1994-1996).
This includes a total USGA record of 42 wins and 3 losses. “The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our sport and a tournament that helped define my career,” Woods said. “I am honored to receive this exemption and am excited to have the opportunity to compete at this year’s U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, which means so much to the sport.”
One of golf’s five Grand Slam winners, Woods has amassed an astonishing 15 major wins, second only to Jack Nicklaus (18), including three at the Open. This includes four wins at the PGA Championship and five times at the Masters. Most recently, he won Augusta National in 2019, ending an 11-year gap between major championships.
“The history of the U.S. Open would not have been written without Tiger Woods,” said USGA Championship Director John Bodenhamer.
“From his 15-shot victory at Pebble Beach in 2000 to his emotional victory with a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this championship is simply better when Tiger is on the court. , the championship was definitely made easier thanks to his exploits in the match’s decision. . For the Special Interests Committee.
As an amateur, Woods was a member of the 1995 U.S. Walker Cup team and the 1994 U.S. World Amateur team, and appeared as a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team seven times, serving as assistant captain in the 2016 games and appearing in nine games. Participated. In 2019, he participated in the Presidents Cup as a player captain. The U.S. Open will be held from June 13th to 16th on the second course at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst Village, North Carolina.