Michael Whitehead is one guy who is glad Tiger Woods won’t be at the U.S. Open this year.
With Woods announcing Tuesday he won’t play in the Open, which starts June 16, Whitehead gets his spot in the field. The senior at Rice was the first alternate from the Dallas qualifier. Whitehead had to win a playoff just to get out of the first stage of 18-hole qualifying.
“They said on the phone that Tiger has withdrawn from the Open,” Whitehead said. “So, ‘Thanks, Tiger.’ I guess I’m glad he was listening to his doctors.”
Woods’ future is as muddied as ever. The lingering left leg and Achilles tendon injuries leave him uncertain how soon he can resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record for major titles. It will be the first time Woods has missed the U.S. Open since 1994, the year he graduated high school.
“I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed,” Woods said on his website.
