Tiger Woods in massive US Open development as golf legend reveals ambitious target

Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption to play in the 124th US Open next month at Pinehurst. The three-time US Open champion most recently competed at the Masters in April where he finished last among the 60 players who made the cut at Augusta National Golf Club.

The 15-time major winner has struggled to walk 72 holes let alone play them after suffering severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash and had flirted with retirement in recent years. Woods is currently ranked 789th in the world and required a special exemption to compete in this year's US Open.

"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 on Thursday. "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."

This year will mark Woods' 23rd Open appearance, his third at Pinehurst and his first since the 2020 edition at Winged Foot Golf Club. Woods finished runner-up to Michael Campbell in the 2005 event at Pinehurst.

And USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said the decision to grant Woods a special exemption was a no brainer. "The story of the US Open could not be written without Tiger Woods," Bodenhamer said in a statement.

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

Woods' most recent US Open triumph came in 2008 when he won a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate despite playing on what was essentially a broken leg. And despite niggling injuries that have limited his playing schedule, Woods made an encouraging start to the 2024 Masters where he earned a tournament record 24th consecutive cut before a difficult last 18 holes.

Tiger Woods sets sights on a tournament a month for the rest of 2024

In an interview with NBC's Today show on Wednesday, Woods said he is hoping to play one tournament a month for the rest of the year, despite his physical limitations. "I have the next three months — three majors — and hopefully that works out," Woods said.

The 15-time major champion drew huge crowds at the Masters last month but finished with the highest 72-hole score of his career, 16-over par. It also left him last among the 60 golfers who made the cut at the Augusta National.

But even so, Woods believes he can compete at the highest level once a month for the remainder of the year and said he is looking forward to the PGA Championship at Valhalla on May 16 before heading to the US Open at Pinehurst in June. His attention will then turn to the British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland the following month. If Woods can manage to play all the above tournaments, it will be the first time since 2019 he has competed in all four majors.

with AAP