TIGER WOODS will come away with a portion of the US Open prize money despite missing the cut.
The golf legend finished his second round on a score of seven over par, so he missed the cut by two shots.
But a change in US Open rules meansWoodsis set to cash in - along with every other tournament participant.
All 156 players competing at Pinehurst is guaranteed at least £7,800, even if they miss the cut.
As a result, the total prize purse of theUS Openhas increased by around £1.2million to a staggering £17m.
While the winner will be awarded £3.3m - up by £300,000 from last year.
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Woods, 48, has struggled for form this year after also missing the cut at the two previous majors this year -The Mastersand the PGA Championship.
The three-time US Open champion failed to qualify for this major on merit for the first time in his career, meaning he needed aspecial exemption from the United States Golf Association.
However he is not guaranteed a place at next year's competition, so Woods did not rule out this appearance being his last.
He said: "As far as my last Open Championship or US Open, I don't know what that is. It may or may not be.
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"It's one of those things where in order to win a golf tournament, you have to make the cut.
"I can't win the tournament from where I'm at, so it certainly is frustrating.
"I thought I played well enough to be up there in contention. It just didn't work out.
“That was probably the best score I could have possibly shot today.
“I’ve only got one more tournament this season. I don’t think even if I win the British Open, I don’t think I’ll be in the PGA Tour play-offs.
"Just one more event and then I’ll come back whenever I come back."