Tiger Woods has been granted a lifetime exemption by the PGA Tour, allowing him to enter all signature events without qualification. The exemption is a testament to Woods’ remarkable career, which includes 82 PGA Tour titles, 15 of which are major championships.
However, the 48-year-old golf legend has struggled with injuries in recent years, limiting his participation in tournaments. On Tuesday, the PGA Tour’s policy board voted to grant Woods a special exemption, recognizing his exceptional lifetime achievements.
The exemption will allow Woods to play in eight lucrative tournaments, excluding majors, without relying on sponsor exemptions or qualifying criteria. According to a PGA Tour memo, an additional sponsor exemption will be created to recognize Woods’ achievements, placing him in a category of his own.
Woods is tied with Sam Snead for the most overall victories on the tour and second on the all-time list for major wins, behind Jack Nicklaus. Despite his impressive record, Woods has only participated in nine tournaments since a car accident in February 2021, which left him with serious leg injuries requiring surgery.
This year, Woods has made the cut in only one of his four PGA Tour appearances, finishing 60th at the Masters. Woods is expected to play at the Open Championship in Scotland in July, marking a significant return to the sport he has dominated for decades.
