While the PGA Tour seems to have regained its spot as the top stage for the game’s best players, Brian Rolapp knows there’s still a lot of work left to do.
The PGA Tour is currently going through a number of major changes, with only the top 100 players in the FedEx Cup in 2025 keeping full membership for the following season.
This shift puts even more focus on signature events. Staying within the top 50 will be crucial for players hoping to hold on to full status, as those outside may find it increasingly difficult to keep their place.
Unless they land several sponsor invites, that is.
Michael Kim discusses why Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth get so many sponsor invites
Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler took part in most of the 2025 signature events despite not being close to the top 50 from the previous year. Fowler used that chance well, finishing 32nd in the FedEx Cup, while Spieth will need more invites to stay in the mix for 2026. But no one is expecting him to have any trouble getting those opportunities.
On the Pat Mayo Experience, Michael Kim addressed this, noting that keeping star names in tournaments is important for both fans and sponsors.
“I know there’s the whole narrative about certain guys getting all the exemptions, but that’s what they’re for,” he said.
“I have never had a problem with certain guys, Jordan, Rickie, Adam Scott, getting all those signature events. Those guys are stars. And they still have to play well.”
“Yeah, there are no cuts. But a 45th or a 50th at a signature event does you very little good because of how the points work now.”
Defending Spieth’s 2025 schedule comes with some awkward points
Backing Spieth’s approach isn’t straightforward. He spoke last season about not liking how often he needed to lean on sponsor exemptions.
Ideally, you’d expect him to give back by playing in more fall events. Instead, Spieth didn’t appear in a single event between the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the Hero World Challenge.
That stretch saw him drop out of the top 60 in the standings, which would have guaranteed him at least two signature event starts for the following year.
Spieth likely knew skipping those events wouldn’t hurt his chances of getting invited again.
No one can say he hasn’t given plenty back to golf over his career. And with a young family at home, it’s understandable that his focus has shifted.
Still, there are probably more than a few players who aren’t as forgiving as Kim about his absence from those autumn tournaments.
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