Michael Whitehead found out Tuesday that he will play in the U.S. Open after all.

He can thank some guy named Tiger.

Tiger Woods withdrew from the U.S. Open because of knee and Achilles injuries, opening the door for the former Rice golfer to replace him as an alternate.

The U.S. Open will be held June 13-16 tournament at Congressional Country Club in suburban Washington. It will be the first time Woods has missed the U.S. Open since 1994, when he had just graduated high school.

“They said on the phone that Tiger has withdrawn from the Open,” said Whitehead, who just completed his senior season at Rice. “So, ‘Thanks, Tiger,’ I guess I’m glad he was listening to his doctors.”

Woods announced his decision on Twitter: "Not playing in US Open. Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain."

Later, on his website, Woods said, "I am extremely disappointed that I won't be playing in the U.S. Open, but it's time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future. I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed."

Whitehead, the Conference USA golfer of the year as a senior, advanced by winning a U.S. Open local qualifier last month at Lakeside Country Club. At Monday’s sectional qualifier in Dallas, Whitehead lost a playoff to two other golfers -- he had back-to-back rounds of 68 -- to earn first alternate.

“I’m speechless,” Whitehead said. “It still hasn’t hit me yet. I guess it means a couple more people will know my name.”

Whitehead, a Sugar Land native, turned professional after competing as an individual at NCAA regional play in May.

“Not a bad way to start the summer,” he said. “It’s shaping up to be a big summer.”

joseph.duarte@chron.com

The Associated Press contributed to this report.