NICK Price, who has won an Open and two US PGA titles in his 22-year professional career, has accepted a special exemption to compete in the US Open to be played at Pinehurst in June.

The 48-year-old Zimbabwean has played in 18 US Opens, with a best finish of fourth in 1992 at Pebble Beach and in 1998 at the Olympic Club.

Earlier this year, he was presented with the USGA's annual Bob Jones Award in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.