Additional Coverage:
- PGA Tour creates sponsor exemption for Tiger Woods, cites ‘exceptional lifetime achievement’ (newsbreak.com)
The PGA Tour has recently introduced an extraordinary sponsor exemption exclusively for Tiger Woods, a golfer celebrated for his distinguished career achievements, as communicated to its members on Tuesday evening. This unique exemption, honoring Woods for his significant contributions to the sport, allows him to participate in eight premier tournaments that boast not only large purses but also valuable FedEx Cup points, despite not meeting the usual qualifications due to limited play after his 2021 car accident injuries.
Woods, who has claimed victory 82 times on the PGA Tour, is being given this special consideration as he would not normally be eligible for these high-stake events with $20 million prize pools, given his recent sparse competition schedule. The exemption was officially sanctioned during a meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, by the PGA Tour policy board alongside the directors of PGA Tour Enterprises.
A memo obtained by ESPN revealed the Tour’s decision to create an exemption slot especially for Woods, citing his remarkable career achievement of more than 80 wins. The memo outlined the courses for this season’s signature events, including prestigious tournaments such as The Sentry, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and Genesis Invitational, among others.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan mentioned ongoing discussions about a policy adjustment that might introduce a 36-hole cut across all signature events, a change from the current system where only a few tournaments implement such a cut. Additionally, the Tour plans to ensure these events maintain a full roster of 72 competitors, addressing scenarios like The Travelers Championship’s recent drop to 71 players due to Rory McIlroy’s withdrawal.
In the last three seasons, Woods has only appeared in nine PGA Tour events following his comeback at the 2022 Masters, largely focusing on major tournaments and the Genesis Invitational, which supports his foundation. His recent performances include withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational due to illness and missing the cut in several major championships.
Despite these setbacks, Woods is eyeing participation in the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland. However, he has acknowledged the limited number of tournaments left for him this season and his slim chances of qualifying for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
The memo also hinted at ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund regarding a potential significant investment, indicating progress but acknowledging that a final agreement has yet to be reached. This discussion is part of efforts to shape the future of professional golf in a manner that enhances competitiveness and provides players with the best global opportunities.