This week, the PGA Tour introduced a special exemption category for Tiger Woods to participate in its signature events, citing his “exceptional lifetime achievement” in golf. Woods, who has won 82 PGA Tour events and holds a lifetime membership by surpassing the Tour’s 20-victory threshold, faces additional requirements for these exclusive events.The eight limited-field, and sometimes no-cut, tournaments with $20 million purses and $4 million winner’s shares are reserved for the Tour’s most successful golfers. To qualify for these signature events, players must be among the top 50 in the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list, the top 30 in the current Official World Golf Rankings, current-year tournament winners, or those considered to be playing the best golf that season.
Woods, arguably the biggest draw in golf and possibly in all of sports, does not meet the current criteria and doesn’t play enough to give himself a chance to qualify. Previously, he received sponsor exemptions to participate in any signature events he wanted to play. However, sponsor exemptions have faced widespread criticism in golf, with some arguing that they should be eliminated altogether.
Most recently, Tiger received a special exemption from the USGA to play in the 2024 U.S. Open.
The PGA Tour’s decision acknowledges Woods’ past greatness and recognizes that the lucrative signature events and the popularity of modern golf largely stem from Woods ushering the sport into a new, wealthier era.
This week, the PGA Tour established a special exemption category for Tiger Woods to participate in its signature events, citing his “exceptional lifetime achievement” in golf. Woods, a 15-time major champion with 82 PGA Tour wins, holds a lifetime membership by surpassing the Tour’s 20-victory requirement, but signature events have additional qualifications.These eight limited-field (and sometimes no-cut) tournaments, featuring $20 million purses and $4 million winner’s shares, are reserved for the Tour’s top golfers. To qualify, players must be among the top 50 in the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list, the top 30 in the current Official World Golf Rankings, current-year tournament winners, or those considered to be playing the best golf that season.Despite being the biggest draw in golf (and possibly in all of sports), Woods does not meet these criteria and does not play enough to qualify. Previously, he received sponsor exemptions to enter any signature events he wished to play. However, sponsor exemptions have faced widespread criticism, with some arguing for their elimination.Recently, Tiger was granted a special exemption from the USGA to compete in the 2024 U.S. Open.The PGA Tour’s decision recognizes both Woods’ past greatness and the reality that the lucrative signature events and the popularity of modern golf largely owe to Woods’ impact in ushering the sport into a new, wealthier era.Despite this new exemption category, Woods is unlikely to participate in many signature events. He has only started four tournaments this year, including one signature event, the Genesis Invitational in February, where he withdrew in the second round due to illness.After missing the cut at the U.S. Open last week, Woods was noncommittal about his future on the PGA Tour.”I’ve only got one more tournament this season,” he said. “… I don’t think, even if I win the British Open, I’ll be in the [FedEx Cup] playoffs. Just one more event and then I’ll come back whenever I come back.”
