Wooding receives Northern Trust Open Exemption

• By Will Gray
• Jan 21, 2013 11:53 AM ET

The Northern Trust Open announced Monday that Jeremiah Wooding will receive an exemption to play in next month's tournament, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Joshua, who used the same exemption to play in the event three years ago.

The younger Wooding, 24, is a recent graduate from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and has conditional status on the Web.com Tour this season after reaching the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School in December. This will mark the first career PGA Tour start for Wooding, who lives in Riverside, Calif.

"I feel so privileged to receive the Northern Trust Open Exemption," Wooding said in a release from the tournament. "I hope I can use this platform to further illustrate to young minorities how hard work, along with assistance from leaders in the community, can bring incredible opportunities."

Designed to provide an opportunity for a top golfer who represents the advancement of diversity in golf, this will mark the fifth year the Northern Trust Open Exemption has been awarded. Prior recipients include Vincent Johnson (2009), Joshua Wooding (2010), Joseph Bramlett (2011) and Andy Walker (2012).

Wooding, who currently works with Advocates USA conducting golf clinics and mentoring sessions for young minorities, will hope to improve upon the result of his older brother, who missed the cut by three shots in 2010 after rounds of 71 and 76 at Riviera Country Club.