The explanation for the increase was notable for what it means in the context of what the USGA is trying to do overall in elevating its biggest championship.
The USGA has expanded from running three events annually to 15, including championships for all age ranges, team events, international matches and a national competition for adaptive golfers.
Woods joins fellow Jones winners Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Francis Ouimet, Mickey Wright, Patty Berg, Annika Sorenstam and US president George H.W. Bush.
The test would not change for the golf balls used for recreational play, but the balls used under this new proposed test for elite competition could result in a distance decrease of at least 15-20 metres, perhaps more.
The scaled-down version of the hall will occupy the second floor of the new three-hectare campus the USGA is building to complement its headquarters in Liberty Corner, New Jersey.