Jordan Spieth isn’t holding back after being left out of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational (API) at Bay Hill. Despite being one of the biggest names in golf, the three-time major champion wasn’t given a sponsor’s exemption and won’t be in the field alongside Rickie Fowler.
“I’m bummed not to be [at Bay Hill] next week. It’s been a great, great place for me, and I really wish I was getting that start, but I needed to play better injured golf last year, I guess,” Spieth said.
For those who haven’t been following, the API, like other PGA Tour signature events, operates with a limited field, meaning there are fewer spots up for grabs. Players who don’t qualify outright can only get in via sponsor exemptions, which are awarded at the discretion of the tournament committee. This year, that committee chose to go in a different direction, leaving Spieth and Fowler out of the event in favor of lesser-known names.
Who got exemptions?
It wasn’t just that Spieth and Fowler were snubbed—it’s who got those four coveted sponsor exemptions that has fueled the debate. The committee, led in part by Arnold Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders, opted for a mix of younger talent and players who fit the tournament’s “grow the game” approach.
Among those receiving exemptions:
- Rafa Campos – A Puerto Rican golfer playing in his first API after writing a personal letter to Saunders advocating for a spot.
- Mackenzie Hughes – A past API participant who hasn’t finished better than T36 this season.
- Min Woo Lee – A fan favorite who has received sponsor exemptions in multiple events this year.
- A sophomore from Auburn – Winner of the Palmer Cup Award last year.
Meanwhile, Spieth and Fowler were left on the outside looking in, despite being two of the most recognizable faces on Tour.
The bigger issue is weighing star power vs. opportunity
The PGA Tour finds itself in a tricky spot. On one hand, sponsor exemptions are meant to be a tool for growing the game, providing opportunities to lesser-known players who might not otherwise have a chance to compete. That’s a noble goal, and no one is saying that players like Campos or Hughes don’t deserve their shots.
But at the same time, there’s no denying the value of star power—and that’s where things get complicated.
Jordan Spieth isn’t just another golfer. He’s a three-time major winner, a former World No. 1, and one of the biggest TV draws in the sport. Fowler, despite his struggles in recent years, is still one of the most marketable players on Tour. Events like the API thrive on big-name recognition, especially in an era where signature events have smaller fields and fewer chances for fans to see their favorite players compete.
Simply put: When Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler aren’t in the field, fewer people care about watching.
The comparison to Adam Scott and Webb Simpson
This situation has drawn some comparisons to the Adam Scott and Webb Simpson exemptions of 2024. Some have argued that if Scott and Simpson received sponsor exemptions earlier this season, why shouldn’t Spieth and Fowler get them now?
But the comparison doesn’t really hold up.
Scott, despite being 43 years old, has 14 career PGA Tour wins and finished inside the top 10 five times last year, including a solo 2nd at the Genesis Scottish Open, T2 at the BMW Championship, and T4 at the Tour Championship.
Webb Simpson? Not so much. He missed six cuts last year and had just one top-25 finish in 16 starts. His entire case for getting an exemption was built on the fact that he won the 2012 U.S. Open—a decade ago.
Spieth and Fowler may not be playing their best golf, but their numbers stack up much closer to Scott than Simpson.
Does the Tour need an eye test rule that accounts for star power?
What this situation really exposes is a glaring issue with the PGA Tour’s new limited-field, signature event model. By cutting down field sizes, they’ve unintentionally created a star player problem, where household names who don’t automatically qualify can be left out—hurting the broadcast, ticket sales, and overall fan engagement.
Sponsor exemptions were once a tool for tournament organizers to bring in big names to drive viewership. Now, they’re being used more to fill gaps in the Tour’s effort to broaden the playing field for up-and-coming talent. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it does raise the question:
Would the API be a better event with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler in the field?
Most fans would probably say yes.
What do you think?
Do you think the API selection committee made the right call, or should Spieth and Fowler have been given spots in the field? Would you rather see big-name players in signature events, or do you like seeing lesser-known names get a chance?
