Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler have been denied sponsor’s exemptions for the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational, joining Gary Woodland in missing out. Tournament committee member Sam Saunders, Arnold Palmer’s grandson, explained that the decision aimed to ensure fairness and grow the game.
The tournament granted exemptions to Rafael Campos, Min Woo Lee, Jackson Koivun, Mackenzie Hughes, and Justin Rose. Saunders noted that Fowler, Spieth, and Woodland had already received invitations to other major events. To qualify, Spieth and Fowler must now perform well at the Cognizant Classic, either by winning or earning enough FedEx Cup points.
Spieth, a three-time major winner, has strong past performances at Bay Hill, while Fowler, a six-time PGA Tour champion, has competed there 13 times. Both had received sponsor’s exemptions earlier this season at Pebble Beach and the Genesis Invitational. Woodland, still recovering from surgery, continues his comeback with steady results.
