PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan revealed Tiger Woods has received a lifetime exemption to all Signature Events because the 15-time major champion makes events ‘bigger’ and ‘better’.
Woods’ exemption, which will kick into effect in 2025, means the golf icon will receive entry to the eight signature events. This is because the PGA Tour sanctioned a new ‘Lifetime Achievement exemption category’, created specifically to ensure the 48-year-old is in the field amid his lesser schedule at this stage of his career.
The signature events, which each possess hefty prize purses and reduced fields, have become a recent topic of discussion in the inaugural running of the PGA Tour’s new schedule. One of the many debates has concerned which players are allowed to compete in the premier tournaments.
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While tournament sponsors are given four exemptions that they can hand out to specific members of the PGA Tour, these passes are often given to a recurring list of players. But Monahan wanted to ensure Woods, who has confirmed his final appearance of 2024 will be at Royal Troon in next month's Open, was playing at any important tournament given his importance to the game and sky-high popularity.
“Well, listen, I think it was important to our membership, it's something we talked about with the PAC, it was important to our player directors, it was important to our board, it's important to me because, you know, the man, as the exemption says, has won more than 80 events, and I think being able to give him the opportunity to compete in these events,” Monahan explained. “Any event he's ever played in he's made it bigger, he's made it better, he's drawn more eyeballs to it, and I think just as an organization we wanted to celebrate his exceptionalism in that manner.”
The addition of the special exemption for Woods is one of many changes set to be made to the PGA Tour schedule after this week’s Travelers Championship, the final signature event of the season. But there will be few disputes over the decision to ensure Woods is involved as much as possible.
Tiger Woods remains the biggest name - and attraction - in golf (Getty Images)Few players come close to the unparalleled success that Woods has achieved over his illustrious career. Along with his 15 major championships - the second-most in history behind Jack Nicklaus - Woods has tallied 82 career PGA Tour wins and secured over $120 million in lifetime earnings on the course, which are accomplishments that the Policy Board wanted to honour and recognise.
Given his recent performances have not been good enough to qualify, Woods has needed to use one of the four exemptions granted to sponsors. But now sponsors will be able to reward other stars and widen the field up.
The PGA Tour also approved a proposal that will ensure each Signature Event has a minimum of at least 72 entrants. This means exemptions will be in higher demand from next season, so Woods’ lifetime agreement makes additional sense - although it is unclear how many signature events he will play outside of appearances at the four majors.
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