Look, nobody expected Tiger Woods, still recovering from a ruptured Achilles, to be in the field for next month’s 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont. And it’s stretching belief to the breaking point to think he would be able to compete at a high level even if he were healthy. But it’s still a bit jarring to once again see a qualifying field without Woods’ name in it, and it’s a sign of where golf is headed.
The USGA, which governs the U.S. Open, has the ability to hand out special exemptions — golden tickets if you will — that give recipients a free pass into the field.