Tiger Woods will contest the US Open next month despite failing to qualify automatically for the first time since 1992.

The 15-time major winner, who has not appeared in the championships since 2020, was granted a special invitation to compete after his five-year exemption for winning the 2019 Masters elapsed.

The green light came as no surprise given Woods's status in the game, with two of his most renowned victories coming in the tournament via his 15-stroke triumph at Pebble Beach in 2000 and his win on a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008. He also took the trophy in 2002.

In confirming he would be playing at Pinehurst in June, the 48-year-old said: 'The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career.

'I'm honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year's US Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.'

USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said: 'The story of the US Open could not be written without Tiger Woods.

'This championship is simply better when Tiger is in the field, and his accomplishments in the game undoubtedly made this an easy decision for our special exemption committee.'

On Wednesday, Woods insisted he's still on track to play all four majors this golf season, though the 48-year-old admitted he was 'sore' after The Masters.

Woods had played sparingly since he pulled out of Augusta last year with injury, though he said in November that he was aiming to play a tournament per month this year.

That still appears to be the plan, as he said he was 'hoping to' stick to that timeline on the TODAY show

'I have basically the next three months. So I have three majors and hopefully that'll all kinda work out,' he said.

After making the cut at Augusta and being granted entry into the US Open, Woods will hope to also play the PGA Championship in May and the British Open in July.