The USGA awarded Tiger Woods a “special exemption” to play the 124th US Open on Thursday, May 2, 2024, sparking a surprising uproar.
The formal statement issued by USGA Chief Championship Officer John Bodenhamer was unambiguous in its intention. Tiger adds excitement (and spectators) to the Open. Bodenhamer believes Tiger Woods is integral to the US Open tale. From his 15-stroke victory at Pebble Beach in 2000 to his amazing win on a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this event is just better with Tiger on the course, and his achievements in the game definitely made this an easy decision for our special exemption committee.”
Tiger wants to play.
The US Open wants Tiger Woods to compete, even if his game isn’t up golf par. No doubt, NBC, which will broadcast the US Open from the Pinehurst Country Club on June 13-16, wants Woods to play. Tiger Woods continues to captivate audiences. It’s worth noting, though, that Woods wants to play. He makes no pretense of having earned a seat. Woods stated that the U.S. Open, the national championship of golf, is a unique tournament that has shaped his career. I’m pleased to have received this exemption and couldn’t be more excited to compete in this year’s U.S. Open, particularly at Pinehurst, a place that represents so much to the game.
However, many people do not believe Tiger Woods deserves this unique exception. Some argue that exemptions unfairly exclude deserving players, that they should not be granted to any player, and that Tiger Woods’ current medical condition should prevent him from participating in the US Open. There are quite a few golfers that are unhappy. LIV Golf’s Taylor Gooch has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of exemptions provided to him and other LIV golfers. Gooch has had some success with LIV Golf, but his world rating has slipped because the Official World Golf Rankings do not include 54-hole tournaments. According to Gooch, “some of the best players in the world” are unable to compete, hence major awards should be marked with a “asterisk”.
Golf has not seen so much upheaval since Tiger Woods turned professional in 1996, bringing millions of new fans and billions of dollars into the game. LIV Golf has signed contracts with some of the world’s top players, which were unthinkable only two years ago. The PGA is attracting billions of dollars from private equity. Countless younger fans are calling for a more aggressive, undoubtedly louder and rowdier tournament atmosphere.
Tiger Woods remains the only athlete capable of connecting golf’s past, present, and future, attracting both traditionalists and newcomers, PGA stalwarts and LIV Golf upstarts.
