PGA Tour makes drastic rule change just for Tiger Woods for ‘exceptional lifetime achievement’ as ranking falls
THE PGA Tour has made a special sports exemption for the legendary Tiger Woods thanks to his past successes on the golf course.
The professional golf tour made the extreme rule for the 15-time major champion Tiger Woods as the 48-year-old's ranking continues to drop.
On Tuesday night, the PGA Tour announced the creation of a sports exemption for Woods, and only Woods, due to his "exceptional lifetime achievement."
The rule will allow Woods to take part in the eight signature events.
The special exemption will kick into effect in 2025 as this week's Traveler's Championship marks the final signature event of the season.
The signature events have limited participants, increased prize money as well as FedEx Cup points.
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Without the exemption, Woods wouldn't be able to qualify for the signature events because he hasn't played enough competitive golf since returning to the tour from injuries he suffered in a car wreck in 2021.
The PGA Tour policy board approved Woods' special sponsor exception during a joint meeting with the PGA Tour Enterprises board of directors on Tuesday.
This year, the 82-time winner on the PGA Tour, Woods will get to compete at The Sentry, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo Championship, Memorial Tournament, and the Travelers Championship.
The signature events total $20 million in purses.
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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan revealed in a memo that the policy board was contemplating implementing a 36-hole cut in each of the signature events.
The Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the Memorial only have a 36-hole cut.
While the board took no action, members said they would continue to discuss the subject.
Woods has played in just nine official PGA Tour events in the last three years since competing at the 2022 Masters.
The only non-major event he has been in action for is the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club outside of Los Angeles.
Woods hosts the event and benefits his foundation.
In February, the golf icon withdrew from the second round of the Genesis Invitational due to an illness.
Woods placed 60th at the Masters.
And he missed the cut at the PGA Championship and last week's U.S. Open.
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Woods has said he plans to participate in next month's Open Championship.
The event is scheduled for July 18 to July 21 at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland.