Letter from Pinehurst: Tiger Woods ready to silence laughable criticism of his special exemption
LAUGHABLE CRITICISM: Tiger Woods speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Open golf tournament on Tuesday. Pic credit: AP Photo/Matt York.
Only three players in this week’s U.S. Open field at Pinehurst competed in the 1999 championship here on the No. 2 course.
There’s Phil Mickelson, who collected the first of his record six runner-ups that year. There’s Matt Kuchar, who was a star amateur about to embark on his long career.
And there was Tiger Woods, who finished third a couple months before going on a run of five majors wins in six starts from late 1999-2001.
Now 48, Woods is back at Pinehurst with his 15-year-old son, Charlie, walking every step of the way with him and offering swing advice.
“I trust him with my swing and my game,” Woods said of his son.
“He's seen it more than anybody else in the world. He's seen me hit more golf balls than anyone. I tell him what to look for, especially with putting. He gave me a couple little side bits today, which was great, because I get so entrenched in hitting certain putts to certain pins, I tend to forget some of the things I'm working on.
“We have a great relationship and rapport like that, and it's a wonderful experience for both of us.”
It’s easy to believe that Woods is beyond the point where he can realistically add to his haul of 15 career majors, but don’t try telling him that. He’s as excited about this week as he was 25 years ago.
“I love U.S. Opens. I love the tests of U.S. Opens,” he said Tuesday. “I've had a little bit of success here back in '99 and 2005. I'm looking forward to this week and getting it underway.”
Despite his age, injuries and some recent struggles to handle the rigors of a full major championship test, Woods doesn’t consider himself simply a ceremonial entry in the 156-man field.
He’s put in more work than most players on site at Pinehurst to get himself ready for the unique test it presents, making a scouting trip last Tuesday and arriving on Sunday to play and practice every day before his 7:29 am local tee time on Thursday with Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris.
“I feel like I have the strength to be able to do it. It's just a matter of doing it,” he said.
“This golf course is going to test every single aspect of your game, especially mentally, and just the mental discipline that it takes to play this particular golf course, it's going to take a lot. We've been working on that and making sure that I understand the game plan and be ready in two more days.”
Woods needed a special exemption to play this week – something LIV trolls have seized upon to rail against the unfairness of some of its players not getting free passes into the field.
It’s a fairly laughable criticism considering the long history of special exemptions into majors and Tiger’s unrivaled history in USGA championships – he’s won nine of them (three each of the U.S. Junior, Amateur and Open), a record he shares with Bobby Jones.
The USGA gave Jack Nicklaus eight special exemptions into the U.S. Open. It gave five of them to Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer, the last one to Arnie at 1994 in Oakmont when he was 64 years old and 30 years removed from winning his last major.
So, get off Tiger’s lawn complaining about arguably the game’s greatest player getting the first of what deservedly should be as many free spots in the championship field as he wants. Especially when commemorating the 1,000th USGA championship that’s being staged this week.
“Arguably Tiger is, if not the most important then one of the most important USGA champions ever,” said John Bodenhamer, chief championships officer for the USGA.
“You know, nine USGA national championships; three Opens; three Juniors and Amateurs in six years. He didn't lose a match in match play over six championships. I don't care what level you play, to do that that might be the greatest record in sports. I mean, that's like hitting in 56 straight games in baseball or scoring 100 points in basketball. I mean, it's amazing.
“And then think about what he means to the game, and to have him as part of the celebration here. He was here in ’99 when Payne (Stewart) won. He contended in 2005. He's just an iconic part of our game and iconic part of the USGA and we're proud to have him here.”
On Tuesday night, Woods received the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor that recognizes his commitment to sportsmanship and respect for golf's traditions. He joins an illustrious list of past recipients that includes Ireland’s Joe Carr (1961) as well as Francis Ouimet, Palmer, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Payne Stewart, former president George H.W. Bush and Pinehurst founder Richard Tufts.
“I think anytime you’re in association with Mr. Jones, it’s always incredible,” he said of the Bob Jones Award.
“What he did in his amateur career, winning the Ams and the Opens and then obviously creating Augusta National, the fact that I get a chance to be honored with his award tonight, it's very special. I've been able to play in this – not in this championship, but in USGA championships – since I was 14 years old. It's been a long time, and I've always enjoyed it on all levels.”
USGA fans have enjoyed him at all levels as well, and as long as he’s willing to keep trying, they should be able to enjoy seeing him at U.S. Opens into his senior years.
If players on the outside don’t like him taking up a spot, there’s a remedy for that – play better. That method has worked pretty well for Woods for 34 years.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
