US Open gives Tiger Woods special exemption to play at Pinehurst

SOUTHERN PINES, North Carolina: Marking the first time the three-time champion has required an exemption to play, Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

Since he first played in 1995 as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, Woods has been exempt from playing for every U.S. Open, but his five-year exemption from winning the 2019 Masters expired in 2023.

The USGA is sel