Three-time US Open winner Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption from the USGA into the 124th US Open Championship in Pinehurst.
The 2000, 2002 and 2008 champion will tee it up at Pinehurst No.2 from June 13-16 after being offered a special invitation into the championship.
Woods had failed to qualify for the US Open for the first time in his professional career as a result of his limited playing schedule.
The fifteen-time major winner picked up his last major at the 2019 Masters meaning his five-year US Open exemption ended this year.
Woods will now return to the event for the first time since 2020.
“The US Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career,” Woods said. “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’s event will be Woods’ 23rd career start at the US Open having finished second to Michael Campbell at Pinehurst Resort in 2005.
“The story of the U.S. Open could not be written without Tiger Woods,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer.
“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.”
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