After Massive 2023 Setbacks, Tiger Woods Looks to Face a Crushing Blow on His 27-Year-Long ‘Major’ Streak

You might not see Tiger Woods at the Pinehurst Resort No.2 next year. As per the latest report, the 15-time Major winner’s chances of teeing up at the 2024 U.S. Open hinges on a number of variables. This is a shocking development as Woods never had to worry about his ‘eligibility’ in a Major before.

But considering the nightmarish year, that he had it might not be all too surprising that the news comes at the fag end of 2023. Just when Woods was showing all the promising signs of a grand comeback, after being out of the greens for most of 2023, his hopes of a 16th Major received a hammer blow. 

Uncertainty hangs above Tiger Woods’ elusive Major dream

Tiger Woods has lost his chance to play at the U.S. Open. His earlier exemption, courtesy of the 2019 Masters victory, ran through its course this year. It is the first time, since the 1996 PGA Championship, that the former World No.1 is not exempt from a Major, Sports Illustrated reported.

However, if the USGA decides to grant him a special exemption, there is still some hope for the 15x Major winner. Previously, the governing body granted an exemption to Phil Mickelson in 2021. Jack Nicklaus, Woods’ childhood idol, received the privilege eight times in his career. It’s either that or Woods has to take a massive leap from his current OWGR 898 to 60 by June.

Woods has won the U.S. Open thrice in his career, the last coming in 2008. The 82-time PGA Tour winner recorded his first U.S. Open victory at Pebble Beach in 2000. His second win came at Bethpage Black two years later. Notably, the 47-year-old didn’t tee up at this year’s U.S. Open due to his ankle surgery. 

The 2024 U.S. Open will kick off on June 10, almost a month after the PGA Championship. Ironically, it is in line with the veteran golfer’s plan of teeing off at least once a month. However, this ‘technical’ problem is the latest bottleneck faced by the Hall of Famer this year.

A year of setbacks for the former world no.1

This year has unfolded a series of hurdles for Tiger Woods. In April, the veteran golfer had to pull out of the Masters due to his persisting ankle injury. Moreover, his long-time partnership with Nike looks to be in troubled waters. The 15-time Major winner once again sported FootJoy shoes at the recently concluded Hero World Challenge.

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If these were not enough, his brother-in-arms, Rory McIlroy, decided to pack his bag and leave the PGA Tour policy board. The Northern Irish golfer, in Woods’ absence, emerged as the most voracious defender of the Tour. In fact, the two have floated TGL, a tech-infused league to counter LIV Golf’s team-play dominance. However, the futuristic league has also been postponed due to the dome collapse at the SoFi center.

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