Australian Marcus Fraser has added Tiger Woods to his Christmas card list after becoming the direct beneficiary of the 14-time major winners withdrawal from the British Open.
Woods remains stricken after back surgery he had last year and will not compete later this month at Royal Troon, a decision allowing Fraser into the field as an alternate.
It marks the Victorian's sixth British Open start and comes on the back of his tie for 20th at St Andrews last year, his best result in 10 major championships.
As he finished up his second round in Akron at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational, Fraser turned on his phone to some very welcome news.
"I owe Tiger a few beers that's for sure. I changed all my flights to go there just in case, but until you actually get in you never know," Fraser said.
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"So when the tweets and messages starting coming in as I came off course here today I was very excited.
"The Open Championship is my favourite tournament in the world so any time you get to play it is great. I can't wait.
"Troon is one of the Open rota courses I haven't played but it is a pretty historic place so I'm looking forward to it."
Fraser will take his family to Disneyland in Los Angeles after the WGC concludes before hopping across the pond to Scotland to prepare.
Fraser joins World No.1 Jason Day, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Steven Bowditch, Matt Jones, Rod Pampling, Nick Cullen, Scott Hend and Nathan Holman in the field at Troon.
Woods has undergone three back surgeries since March 2014.
By not playing, Woods will miss a third straight major for the first time in his professional career.
