Jordan Spieth has been granted a sponsor exemption into the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, set for March 5-8. The three-time major champion, who has struggled recently, faces criticism from some PGA Tour players for relying on such invites. Spieth defended the decision, emphasizing its benefits to tournaments.
Jordan Spieth, the three-time major winner, has accepted another sponsor exemption to compete in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, scheduled for March 5-8 at Bay Hill. Published reports confirm this exemption, following a rejection of his request for the event last season. Spieth's participation comes amid ongoing struggles, with no victories since the 2022 RBC Heritage and a low standing in the FedEx Cup rankings.
His reliance on exemptions for signature events, which feature $20 million purses and limited fields, has drawn backlash from rank-and-file PGA Tour members. Long-time pro Robert Garrigus criticized the practice in an interview with Golfweek, stating, "What's happening to the Tour?" He added, "Tell Spieth I'll play him for any amount he wants. I win, I get his five invites to the signature events."
In 2025, Spieth received exemptions into the Genesis Invitational, RBC Heritage, the Memorial, and the Truist Championship. He also played in the Hero World Challenge on a personal invitation from Tiger Woods. Spieth addressed the criticism in an interview with the PGA Tour website, saying the backlash "stinks" and that he is "not, like, paying (tournaments) to get in." He explained, "If it's going to be helpful to their tournament, then they're going to want me there, until they don't want me there. I'm doing anything anyone else is doing. I don't want to have to do it."
Other players, including Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk, have also accepted invites to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Similar scrutiny has affected Webb Simpson and Rickie Fowler, who accepted sponsor exemptions in recent seasons. Fowler took six such invites but ended 2025 inside the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings, securing spots in signature events this year.
