Tiger Woods Accepts Exemption To United States Open Championship At Pinehurst

[st1800e]

7 hours ago, mstuewe said:

 

I'd love to see 0.  Make everyone go through the qualifying rounds.  

 

But I know thats not realistic.  

Prior to 1963 everyone had to qualify for the British Open, even past champions. Haven’t been able to find any similar history regarding the US Open.  

[TiScape]

35 minutes ago, st1800e said:

Prior to 1963 everyone had to qualify for the British Open, even past champions. Haven’t been able to find any similar history regarding the US Open.  

Thanks for this! I can now add to my ‘back in my day/I stopped watching when…’ sports list! 
 

I stopped watching the British Open in 1964 when… 

 

 

[dwboston]

1 hour ago, BombinJim said:

Tiger to top 20. Easy walk, tight/funky lies, and good hands required and he’s got the best.

 

I'm not sure where this idea comes from that Pinehurst is an "easy walk".  Compared to Augusta, maybe.  But Pinehurst #2 has some elevation change, and any course that's not completely flat is probably a challenge for Tiger to walk at this point. 

[BombinJim]

1 hour ago, dwboston said:

 

I'm not sure where this idea comes from that Pinehurst is an "easy walk".  Compared to Augusta, maybe.  But Pinehurst #2 has some elevation change, and any course that's not completely flat is probably a challenge for Tiger to walk at this point. 

I’ve played #2 at Pinehurst 3 times and that is my impression.

[redfirebird08]

1 hour ago, dwboston said:

 

I'm not sure where this idea comes from that Pinehurst is an "easy walk".  Compared to Augusta, maybe.  But Pinehurst #2 has some elevation change, and any course that's not completely flat is probably a challenge for Tiger to walk at this point. 

 

Honestly, I think even the flattest golf course in the world is tough for him to walk 72 holes in only 4 days. The guy just doesn't have the stamina of a young person. He might as well be age 78 or 88 instead of 48 given his injury problems with the back & leg. 

[dwboston]

28 minutes ago, BombinJim said:

I’ve played #2 at Pinehurst 3 times and that is my impression.

 

I've played it as well.  It's not like it's a flat, Florida resort course.  Hole 4 is a pretty good downhill walk, then 5 is back uphill, then uphill again to the 6th tee.  10 goes downhill from the tee, then back uphill. 13 is uphill, then 14 back downhill.  16 plays downhill to the green, 17 down from the tee then up to the green, and 18 is uphill.  

 

For Tiger, nothing is an easy walk, and this, coupled with the likely warm, humid weather, won't be easy for him.

[jimecherry]

16 minutes ago, dwboston said:

 

I've played it as well.  It's not like it's a flat, Florida resort course.  Hole 4 is a pretty good downhill walk, then 5 is back uphill, then uphill again to the 6th tee.  10 goes downhill from the tee, then back uphill. 13 is uphill, then 14 back downhill.  16 plays downhill to the green, 17 down from the tee then up to the green, and 18 is uphill.  

 

For Tiger, nothing is an easy walk, and this, coupled with the likely warm, humid weather, won't be easy for him.

will it be easier than april 12th of this year?

[Fairways_and_Greens]

On 5/2/2024 at 12:55 PM, redfirebird08 said:

 

I saw Gooch is refusing to even bother with the open qualifying process. That seems like a weird choice. If he's such an awesome player, it should be a pretty easy deal for him to make it through qualifying.

 

Once you get into the U.S. Open, you have a chance to earn a 10-year exemption with a victory...plus a 5-year exemption for the other 3 majors. And if you finish 2nd to 10th place you get an automatic spot in the 2025 U.S. Open. 

Such an opportunity lost to "grow the game"

[TiScape]

On 5/2/2024 at 12:55 PM, redfirebird08 said:

 

I saw Gooch is refusing to even bother with the open qualifying process. That seems like a weird choice. If he's such an awesome player, it should be a pretty easy deal for him to make it through qualifying.

 

Once you get into the U.S. Open, you have a chance to earn a 10-year exemption with a victory...plus a 5-year exemption for the other 3 majors. And if you finish 2nd to 10th place you get an automatic spot in the 2025 U.S. Open. 

Ta*lor be like…

*mini GIF! 😩

Edited May 5 by TiScape

[acemac14]

Love the stories of the guys who qualify in through locals or just make it in and all that, but don't think you want to exclude one the true GOATs of the game. Especially when you are making Pinehurst an anchor site for your premier toughest Major, you should probably allow the dude who had a large hand in building the sport to where it is to come play the US Open at a historic spot like this. 

[golfheaven69]

It’s not a difficult walk but if temps are in the high 80’s or low 90’s it can be a struggle. 

[Soloman1]

the breakfast buffet is a real struggle. so much biscuits and gravy, grits and so little time. then there’s the long walk to the bathrooms and out to the range.

 

i’m worn out remembering the struggles playing at pinehurst.

 

what a dump.

[StoutKing]

On 5/2/2024 at 12:55 PM, redfirebird08 said:

 

I saw Gooch is refusing to even bother with the open qualifying process. That seems like a weird choice. If he's such an awesome player, it should be a pretty easy deal for him to make it through qualifying.

 

Once you get into the U.S. Open, you have a chance to earn a 10-year exemption with a victory...plus a 5-year exemption for the other 3 majors. And if you finish 2nd to 10th place you get an automatic spot in the 2025 U.S. Open. 

He's only hurting himself.  In his prime and passing on majors?  Must not be a competitor.  Gotta hand it to Sergio, he went out and qualified last year.

[Archimedes65]

Of course he deserves an exemption.  And of course his chance of winning is slim to none.

 

I’m a bit surprised that he’s still playing, given how miserable he looks on the golf course these days.  The pained expression plastered on his face looks like someone getting a six hour prostate exam.

[dono]

What is the statistic for the most exemptions and WD's in a career? Maybe that's the number TW is chasing? Can't wait to see how the USGA screws up #2. Again.

Edited May 5 by dono

[Shilgy]

All of the greats have received exemptions towards the end of their career…Hale Irwin even won in 1990 after receiving one. I’m not sure why their is such opposition to one of the two best ever to getting one.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/players-who-have-received-usga-special-exemptions-into-the-u-s-open-and-how-they-fared

[golfortennis]

I'm someone who is not a fan of Woods', and if he never gets mentioned on a broadcast again it will still be too much of him, but yeah, if anyone is getting an exemption, it's going to be him.  

 

Not worth a discussion, IMHO.  

[StoutKing]

17 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

I'm someone who is not a fan of Woods', and if he never gets mentioned on a broadcast again it will still be too much of him, but yeah, if anyone is getting an exemption, it's going to be him.  

 

Not worth a discussion, IMHO.  

I went back and watched some of the old US Opens with Nicklaus playing in his 50's.  Quite frankly it was awesome.  Jack was still excellent.  Hopefully Tiger can do well at #2.

[Phayd]

His pairing with Neal Shipley was a wonderful Masters storyline and nobody in the game brings as many eyeballs to tvs as he does.

 

Off the top of my head, there isn’t a single golfer on earth that I would rather see that exemption go to.  The boost in golf interest if he plays well will move the dial more than any other player.

[WhostherealSlimShady]

On 5/6/2024 at 6:15 AM, Phayd said:

His pairing with Neal Shipley was a wonderful Masters storyline and nobody in the game brings as many eyeballs to tvs as he does.

 

Off the top of my head, there isn’t a single golfer on earth that I would rather see that exemption go to.  The boost in golf interest if he plays well will move the dial more than any other player.

Honestly, nobody has as many eyeballs leave the TV as he does as well... It is all Tiger, all the time. He was a hell of a player but his own actions cost him a lot and watching this version of Tiger isn't fun.

[Jolter]

Foregone conclusion that he would be offered and exemption by the USGA especially after he indicated that he intended to play in all four majors this year. The question will be going foreward, how does the USGA continue to offer him exemptions now that he is basically a ceremonial golfer.

[stinger_gc]

2 minutes ago, Jolter said:

Foregone conclusion that he would be offered and exemption by the USGA especially after he indicated that he intended to play in all four majors this year. The question will be going foreward, how does the USGA continue to offer him exemptions now that he is basically a ceremonial golfer.

He’s gonna get one for life lol.

[bscinstnct]

5 minutes ago, Jolter said:

Foregone conclusion that he would be offered and exemption by the USGA especially after he indicated that he intended to play in all four majors this year. The question will be going foreward, how does the USGA continue to offer him exemptions now that he is basically a ceremonial golfer.

Jack got 8 special exemptions to the U.S. Open

 

The last stretch he got 5 in a row, the last being in 2000 at the age of 60. He MC. 

 

And we all know who won that year. 
 

In fact, every year that Jack played in his last major, Tiger won that major that year. Crazy

 

 

Edited May 8 by bscinstnct

[TiScape]

4 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

Jack got 8 special exemptions to the U.S. Open

 

The last stretch he got 5 in a row, the last being in 2000 at the age of 60. He MC. 

 

And we all know who won that year. 
 

In fact, every year that Jack played in his last major, Tiger won that major that year. Crazy

 

 

 

[redfirebird08]

48 minutes ago, Jolter said:

Foregone conclusion that he would be offered and exemption by the USGA especially after he indicated that he intended to play in all four majors this year. The question will be going foreward, how does the USGA continue to offer him exemptions now that he is basically a ceremonial golfer.

The USGA gave 8 exemptions to a ceremonial version of Jack Nicklaus. USGA gave 5 exemptions to a ceremonial version of Arnold Palmer. USGA victories:

 

Bobby Jones - 9

Tiger Woods - 9

Jack Nicklaus - 8

Arnold Palmer - 3

 

If anyone in modern golf has earned a right to be invited by the USGA, it’s Tiger. 

[rule_6]

Read and it may have been parody- he was in agreement to do a roast like Brady......if so, that would be absolutely brutal. 

[IndyArcher]

9 hours ago, WhostherealSlimShady said:

Honestly, nobody has as many eyeballs leave the TV as he does as well... 

 

You may well be correct, but I'd like to know the ratings evidence for that. If that were truly the case, I don't think the networks would give him the camera time that they do. It would be costing them ratings and subsequently $$. Even the NEWS plays for ratings these days, so I just have a hard time thinking they would do that. 

[bscinstnct]

10 hours ago, WhostherealSlimShady said:

Honestly, nobody has as many eyeballs leave the TV as he does as well... It is all Tiger, all the time. He was a hell of a player but his own actions cost him a lot and watching this version of Tiger isn't fun.

 

SS won the Masters

 

TW came in last

 

Yet nearly 2x more interest in TW 🤣

 

 

Edited May 8 by bscinstnct

[StoutKing]

2 hours ago, bscinstnct said:

 

SS won the Masters

 

TW came in last

 

Yet nearly 2x more interest in TW 🤣

 

 

To give him his due, Tiger beat the following players at the Masters:

 

Tiger Woods (c)	73-72-82-77=304	+16	44,400
CUT	Wyndham Clark	73-78=151	+7
	Nick Dunlap	77-74=151
	Austin Eckroat	74-77=151
	Sergio García (c)	72-79=151
	Lee Hodges	74-77=151
	Im Sung-jae	77-74=151
	Zach Johnson (c)	76-75=151
	Justin Rose	73-78=151
	Justin Thomas	72-79=151
	Mike Weir (c)	74-77=151
	Stewart Hagestad (a)	74-78=152	+8
	Viktor Hovland	71-81=152
	Christo Lamprecht (a)	74-78=152
	Sam Burns	80-73=153	+9
	Brian Harman	81-72=153
	Jordan Spieth (c)	79-74=153
	Santiago de la Fuente (a)	76-78=154	+10
	Stephan Jäger	74-80=154
	Peter Malnati	82-72=154
	Bubba Watson (c)	74-80=154
	Charl Schwartzel (c)	74-81=155	+11
	Fred Couples (c)	80-76=156	+12
	Ryo Hisatsune	78-78=156
	Jasper Stubbs (a)	80-76=156
	Dustin Johnson (c)	78-79=157	+13
	Gary Woodland	76-81=157
	Adrian Meronk	78-80=158	+14
	Nick Taylor	77-81=158
	Emiliano Grillo

 

[WorkItBothWays]

Will be interesting to see the venue announcements for the Open. If St Andrews is 2027 that would coincide with Pebble Beach. Could be something special.