Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
It’s one of golf’s most contentious issues and it’s never likely to go away.
The debate around sponsor’s exemptions reignited earlier in the week when it was noted that Joel Dahmen and Gary Woodland – 129th and 137th respectively in the PGA Tour standings – were invited to play in the limited-field, no-cut Zozo Championship as players battle to make the top 125 and earn their tour card for next season.
And while some, like Michael Kim, decided to poke fun at the likes of Justin Thomas and Max Homa for rocking up to the FedEx Cup Fall Series event, others were not so understanding.
• Rickie Fowler sets bold target ahead of latest comeback
• Open venue responds to LIV Golf rumours
Lou Stagner, a data analyst for the Arccos Golf, the official game tracker technology of the PGA Tour, posted on X that “sponsor’s exemptions should be eliminated”.
His argument?
“Amazon paid $11 billion to carry Thursday night [American] football for 11 seasons,” he added. “Because Amazon wrote a big cheque, do they get to pick a few of the players that play on Thursday night? Of course not. That’s silly.
“Yet that is how some think sponsors exemptions on the PGA Tour should work.”
Amazon paid $11 BILLION dollars to carry Thursday night football for 11 seasons.
Because Amazon wrote a big check, do they get to pick a few of the players that play on Thursday night?
Of course not. That's silly.
Yet that is how some think sponsors exemptions on the PGA…
— Lou Stagner (Golf Stat Pro) (@LouStagner) October 24, 2024
Phil Kenyon – one of the game’s finest putting coaches who, as well as Woodland, has worked with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood – disagrees.
“Woodland [is] coming off a top 10 in Vegas [and has] played the season recovering from brain surgery,” he wrote. “Rather than take a medical he competed when he probably shouldn’t have. I think that warrants a sponsors invite.”
The Englishman added: “Also, being a major champion you have earned the chance to be considered too.”
Woodland coming off a top 10 in Vegas, played the season recovering from brain surgery. Rather than take a medical he competed when he probably shouldn’t have. I think that warrants a sponsors invite. Also being a major champion you have earned the chance to be considered too. https://t.co/7vrOuSnyMl
— Phil Kenyon (@KenyonPutting) October 24, 2024
• Six DP World Tour players who could lose their card this season
• LIV Golf announces controversial change to event
One thing’s for sure, the merit of sponsor’s exemptions in golf will be debated for as long as they exist.
And whatever your thoughts on them, they do create some incredible stories.
You only have to go back a couple of weeks to Jay Don Blake’s week at the Black Desert Championship to find that out.
ALL ABOUT THE OPEN
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses