PGA Tour caddie rips 'dirty politics' of sponsor exemptions
A PGA Tour caddie has shone a light on the shady behind-the-scenes dealings over sponsor exemptions and how they are handed out.
A PGA Tour caddie has shone a light on the 'dirty deals' that go on behind-the-scenes over sponsor exemptions.
Writing for Golf Digest about his 'up-and-coming' player, the looper claimed sponsor exemptions are 'some of the most politically biased aspects of professional golf'.
He wrote his player was recently rejected for an alternate event in favour of a golfer who was represented by the agency that runs the tournament.
"He was surprised—and pissed," he wrote. "I was upset, too, but not surprised. I knew the fix was in."
Alternate events occur opposite some of the bigger tournaments on the PGA Tour circuit.
In the past, they have been played opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC Match Play, Scottish Open and the Open.
The Match Play has been dropped from the 2023-2024 schedule.
They represent a chance for rank-and-file members to gain OWGR and FedEx Cup points. There is, however, less cash on the line.
But they offer a greater chance for a player to achieve a breakout victory.
One of the changes to the 2023-2024 schedule will see winners of alternate events not being given a spot into the signature events.
The looper added:
PGA Tour members can take an unlimited number of sponsor exemptions.
Non-PGA Tour members can take a maximum of seven. Players who need sponsors exemptions typically write letters to tournament directors and then cross their fingers.
The caddie added that he wasn't an advocate for getting rid of sponsor exemptions.
"But we need to do a better job of policing how they are used," he wrote.
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