Woods accepts special exemption into U.S. Open

May 2 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods has accepted a special exemption into next month's U.S. Open at North Carolina's Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, the USGA said on Thursday.

Woods, who counts three U.S. Open titles among his 15 major championships, 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 U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career," said Woods.

"I'm honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year's U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game."

Woods has hardly been a full-time player in recent years and dropped to 789th in the world ranking. His five-year exemption into the U.S. Open after winning the 2019 Masters has run out.

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

The 2024 U.S. Open will be contested June 13-16.

Woods' most recent U.S. Open triumph came in 2008 when he won a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate despite playing on what was essentially a broken leg.

Despite nagging 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 struggling over the weekend.

(This story has been corrected to fix the location of Pinehurst Resort and Country Club to North Carolina, not South Carolina, in paragraph 1)