Fellow PGA Tour Players, Fans Frustrated With Recent ‘Sponsor Exemption’ Decisions

The upcoming Wells Fargo Championship is one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, boasting an inflated purse of $20 million.

It’s also a limited-field event that most players have to shoot their way into. Remember, only the top 50 from last year’s FedEx Cup standings are eligible, along with some others.

But in addition to playing one’s way in, there are sponsor exemptions. This week, those went to Adam Scott, Gary Woodland, Matt Kuchar, and Webb Simpson.

Fans – and even players in a roundabout way – have taken exception to Simpson’s inclusion in the event. It’s the fourth time this year that the PGA Tour policy board member has picked up a sponsor exemption into a Signature Event. The 38-year-old ranks 152^nd in the current FedEx Cup standings has a best finish this year of 30^th and hasn’t won since 2020.

When Scott and Simpson received similar exemptions to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, golfer Dylan Wu—while not quite taking full exception to their inclusion—did question the system that was supposed to prioritize course results.

And trust me, they’re both great players that probably deserve it but this new model is all about meritocracy. Sponsor exemptions going to the same players every elevated event doesn’t seem to follow the “play better” saying. Seems like “be more famous” or “know the right people”

— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) March 2, 2024

Writers and fans are also taking notice. And even though sponsor exemptions for name players are nothing new – for example, Simpson lives at Quail Hollow – it’s bad optics at this point in time for the PGA Tour.

To his credit, Simpson said he understands the criticism and is willing to have the policy board look into sponsor exemptions as a whole.

Webb Simpson said last month.

“I told another player this year who had an issue with board members getting spots. I said, ‘I know it looks political. I would argue it’s not political at all.’ The relationships I built, I built over a long period of time. I told this player that if we got something wrong if we missed something, we want to learn from it. I gladly accept people’s criticism and feedback. I hope I’m not in this position again. It’s a tough place to be knowing that some players have an issue with it.”

All of the top players on the PGA Tour will be playing in the Wells Fargo except Scottie Scheffler (awaiting the birth of a child) and Ludvig Aberg (withdrawn due to injury).

Cover Image via Golf Digest