Jordan Spieth ‘bummed’ over Bay Hill snub: ‘I needed to play better injured golf last year, I guess’

Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler were denied sponsor exemptions into the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, forcing them to earn spots through performance at the Cognizant Classic. While Fowler faltered, Spieth made a strong push, finishing tied for ninth but failing to accumulate enough FedEx Cup points to secure a place at Bay Hill. Instead, he will focus on preparing for the Players Championship.

Despite his solid performance, Spieth acknowledged that last season’s struggles, primarily due to a wrist injury, contributed to his exclusion. API’s selection committee, led by Arnold Palmer’s grandson Sam Saunders, prioritized players based on merit, with Rafael Campos earning an exemption through a well-crafted request letter. Spieth’s omission highlights the competitive nature of sponsor selections.

Spieth expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about his game’s progress. He noted that his performance at Phoenix showed improvement and that he was playing well despite not being at full strength. While he won’t compete at Bay Hill, he aims to stay patient and focused on upcoming events like The Players and the Tampa tournament.