PGA Tour Player Director Receives Third Sponsor's Invite Into A $20M Signature Event
PGA Tour member Dylan Wu previously said "it doesn't seem fair" that Player Directors like Adam Scott and Webb Simpson have received invites to Signature Events


PGA Tour Player Director, Webb Simpson has been awarded a third sponsor's exemption into a Signature Event this season - a decision which may have caused further angst among the US-based circuit's membership.
The 2012 US Open champion, who hails from North Carolina, has already teed it up at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as well as the Arnold Palmer Invitational this term - finishing T39 and T30, respectively.
Webb Simpson with his third exemption to a signature event. https://t.co/Hyi7RgFMqWApril 15, 2024
And, now - pointed out by popular golf X account Monday Q Info - Simpson is one of four invitees into the fifth Signature Event of the season, the RBC Heritage, along with Kevin Kisner, Shane Lowry, and Gary Woodland.
Woodland, who is making his way back from successful brain surgery, currently sits 136th in the OWGR and was given an exemption into the Genesis Invitational as well before going on to play with tournament host, Tiger Woods.
Meanwhile, Lowry is 37th in the OWGR but did not qualify for the no-cut tournament via any of the necessary means. Kisner is 541st but will be playing his first Signature Event of 2024 after twice working as the lead analyst for NBC while competing on the PGA Tour.
But it is Simpson's appearance at a tournament which he has previously won that is most likely to rankle with some of the players who are not in attendance. Moods could be worsened further if he is included in the Wells Fargo Championship this term, too. Simpson could well be under consideration as he lives in Quail Hollow and would attract plenty of local fans - including friends and family.
Following Simpson and Adam Scott's welcome into the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, Dylan Wu aired his frustrations on social media.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The American stated it was "suspect" that two of the six Player Directors who had not managed to secure their own tee time via qualification had received more than one invite into events that offer higher prize money and greater FedEx Cup points.
Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, and Peter Malnati make up the remaining members of the current PGA Tour Player Director board.
Great players and major champions. I can’t say much because I missed the cut hard this week but getting more than one sponsor exemption into elevated events doesn’t seem fair. Seems like if you’re a player director, you’ll get an invite into an elevated event. Seems suspect….. https://t.co/qQYGIBMoNjMarch 2, 2024
In reference to Scott and Simpson after missing the cut at the Cognizant Classic, Wu said: "Great players and major champions. I can’t say much because I missed the cut hard this week but getting more than one sponsor exemption into elevated events doesn’t seem fair. Seems like if you’re a player director, you’ll get an invite into an elevated event. Seems suspect….."
The Arnold Palmer Invitational - won by Scottie Scheffler - was Scott's third consecutive appearance at a Signature Event in what has been a very good season in terms of results so far.
The 2013 Masters champion has four top-20 results and a T22 finish at The Masters last week. Otherwise, he ended The Players in T45 but missed the cut at Bay Hill.
Wu continued: “And trust me, they’re both great players that probably deserve it but this new model is all about meritocracy. Sponsor exemptions going to the same players every elevated event doesn’t seem to follow the “play better” saying. Seems like “be more famous” or “know the right people.”
The 27-year-old, who has one top-five finish on the PGA Tour since turning pro in 2018, finished by saying: "I’m not saying I deserve an exemption in any way. I don’t and must play better to get into the elevated events. There’s 8 this year. The points in these big events are worth 2.5x more and purses are double with half the field size. That makes these exemptions so important!”
Following his second Masters victory last week, Scottie Scheffler will tee it up at Hilton Head Island on Thursday. Meanwhile, Augusta National runner-up, Ludvig Aberg, four-time Major winner, Rory McIlroy and World No.3, Xander Schauffele are also in the stacked line-up.
The field currently stands at just 69 players, though, after Viktor Hovland's late withdrawal following a disappointing performance at The Masters where he missed the cut.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
The Surprise Second Hand Club That Sells Out Almost Instantly
This club is becoming increasingly popular with the best players in the world and amateur golfers are loving them too. Maybe it’s time you added one to your bag…
By Michael Weston Published
-
I Gave The Most Bizarre Ruling In My Last Round. Here's What I Had To Say
Golf throws up many weird and wonderful situations but the Rules are always there to help you or, in this case, hurt you!
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
‘It’s Hard To Not Feel Discouraged’ - JJ Spaun Reacts After Players Championship Playoff Defeat To Rory McIlroy
The American came up short in a bid to win The Players Championship, as Spaun would rue a costly triple bogey at the par 3 17th in a playoff with Rory McIlroy
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Paul McGinley Proposes ‘One Of The Things That I Think LIV Have Got Right’ To Be Applied To PGA Tour
The Golf Channel analyst thinks a key change implemented by LIV Golf could make all the difference to the PGA Tour
By Mike Hall Published
-
Keegan Bradley Makes Second Hole-In-One Of 2025 At Another Iconic Venue
Keegan Bradley made an ace in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - and it's not the only iconic venue he's achieved it at this year
By Mike Hall Published
-
J.J. Spaun Involved In Drop Drama While In Contention At The Players Championship
Playing the ninth hole at TPC Sawgrass, the American received a huge slice of luck via a double drop at the par 5, with the move leading to a birdie
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How A Strong Finish At The Players Championship Will Mean This Professional May Retain His PGA Tour Card
Bud Cauley is needing to finish in, or around, the top 5 at TPC Sawgrass to keep his PGA Tour playing rights for 2025, with the American currently playing on a major medical extension
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Many Monday Finishes Have There Been At The Players Championship?
The Players Championship is the PGA Tour's flagship event and, throughout its history, there have been eight Monday finishes, with the last being in 2022
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy Defeats JJ Spaun In Playoff To Win Second Players Championship
The Northern Irishman defeated JJ Spaun over three extra holes at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course to lift the 2025 Players Championship on Monday
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The Players Championship
The Players Championship provides players with a huge tournament purse and it also means the caddies receive a handy payday as well
By Matt Cradock Published