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 means Woods is 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 the US Open has 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 Masters and 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 a special 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."
