‘Doesn’t Deserve It’: Rickie Fowler & Jordan Spieth Face Heat Over Special Treatment From PGA Tour Sponsor

Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth have stirred controversy after receiving sponsor exemptions for The Memorial, a \$20 million PGA Tour signature event. Despite their popularity, neither met the qualifying criteria, prompting fans to question the fairness of the decision.

Fowler, currently ranked 99th in the FedEx Cup and 108th in the OWGR, has not posted a top-ten finish this season. Spieth fares slightly better, with a few solid performances, but both missed the cut at Muirfield last year, further fueling the debate.

Critics argue that the exemptions unfairly favor well-known names over rising stars who may deserve the spotlight. Comments online described the decision as “blasphemous” and “unjustified,” especially in Fowler’s case, who continues to struggle with form.

Despite the backlash, Fowler expressed gratitude for the invitations, while fans remain divided. The broader debate about sponsor exemptions highlights a growing tension between meritocracy and marketability in the evolving landscape of professional golf.