PGA Tour fans expressed their frustrations after learning that Billy Horschel, Matt Kuchar, and Brandt Snedeker received sponsor exemptions for the upcoming Memorial Tournament. The PGA Tour faced criticism regarding its use of these exemptions, especially after the North American circuit announced the three players’ participation in next week’s tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
A fourth sponsor exemption is yet to be revealed, but Horschel, Kuchar, and Snedeker are confirmed to compete at Muirfield Village. This year’s tournament, boasting a $20 million prize purse due to its signature status, has attracted significant interest from Tour members. However, some players argue that the exemption process is unfair and suggest possible collusion.
Webb Simpson and Peter Malnati have notably benefited from multiple sponsor exemptions this season. The Memorial Tournament’s field, finalized after the RBC Canadian Open, will include three of the four exemptions restricted to PGA Tour members: Billy Horschel, Matt Kuchar, and Brandt Snedeker, who are on the PGA Tour’s policy board but rank outside the top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
One anonymous PGA Tour player previously told Golfweek that the sponsor exemptions “did not pass the smell test,” hinting at potential collusion and political maneuvering within the Tour.
Simpson defended the practice before the Wells Fargo Championship, acknowledging the poor optics but downplaying the concerns. Malnati similarly justified his exemption into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, citing his consistent support for the tournament.
The full field for the Memorial Tournament will be announced on June 2, after the RBC Canadian Open. While there was speculation about Tiger Woods’ participation, it is unlikely he will compete. Many fans on social media speculated that the final spot would go to Webb Simpson, with several sarcastic comments suggesting his selection was inevitable.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the PGA Tour regarding the fairness and transparency of sponsor exemptions.