USGA official John Bodenhamer believes Tiger Woods will be drawn to the prospect of making history at the 2028 US Senior Open.

Woods has been absent from the PGA Tour since July 2024, with injuries sidelining him from competition. He had planned a comeback at the Masters this year, but was arrested on DUI charges following a car crash in Florida.

In September, Woods reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, avoiding potential jail time but being ordered to pay fines and surrender his driving license for five years. Woods has since returned to the course for charity events, though his professional future remains uncertain.

Woods is reportedly setting his sights on a debut in the PGA Tour Champions Tour, and Bodenhamer believes the 50-year-old has a strong incentive to compete in the U.S. Senior Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in 2028, urging the 15-time major champion to seize his chance at history.

"Tiger understands his legacy. Bob Jones won nine USGA National Championships. Tiger Woods has won nine. And to win that 10th, if he could do it at the U.S. Senior Open, he understands what that means," Bodenhamer told WRTV Sports.

"There's only been two people in the history of our game that have won the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, and the U.S. Senior Open. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Tiger has won the Am and the Open. He's never won the Senior Open, but Tiger's also won the Junior Am. He'd be the only one ever to do it.

"So I guess what I'm trying to say is it's important to Tiger, and I would expect that he would be here at Crooked Stick."

Woods has been vocal about his goal to reach at least 10 USGA championships. In 2020, he featured in a USGA profile on his career where he said: "I was always focused on USGA championships because they are our national championship. I always wanted to be the United States champion. That title means something special to me."

Woods currently ties the record with golf icon Bobby Jones, with nine USGA championships apiece. His triumphs include three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles from 1991 to 1993, three straight U.S. Amateur victories from 1994 to 1996, and three U.S. Open championships in 2000, 2002, and 2008.

Since turning 50 in December 2025, Woods is now qualified for senior competition. He even entered this year's U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, but never confirmed his participation.

At the time of his entry in March, a USGA spokesperson explained the situation to Golf Channel and other outlets, saying: "Tiger has entered the championship, simply to ensure eligibility, but will not make a decision about playing until a later date."

While Bodenhamer is promoting the 2028 U.S. Senior Open as the target, the 2027 edition may be when Woods first takes a shot at the tournament. The 2027 U.S. Senior Open is scheduled to be held at Oak Tree National in Edmond, Oklahoma, from July 1 to 4.

Since stepping back from regular competition, Woods has dedicated much of his time to recovering from a series of injuries. He ruptured his left Achilles tendon in March 2025 and underwent back surgery later that October. He made his return to the course at TGL, before his car accident thrust the all-time great back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.