The player roster at the events could get controversial by ignoring the top professional players for the exemption and favoring the lesser-known professional golfers. Something similar happened at the Arnold Palmer Invitational when Jordan Spieth was not given the sponsor exemption. The golfer with his illustrious career, with 13 PGA Tour victories, has also showcased great finishes even at the API field with T4s earlier. Now that he is not included in the roster, his reaction was definitely not positive.

He said, “I’m bummed not to be there next week. It’s been a great, great place for me, and I really wish I was getting that start, but I needed to play better-injured golf last year, I guess.” Well, the frustration is obvious as the golfer has suffered an injury in the last season, which is why he has relied on the sponsor exemption or AON 5 to qualify for the signature event. Now, with his name replaced by the Puerto Rico golfer Rafael Campos, the fans went furious. But Sam Saunders, grandson of Arnold Palmer, has backed the decision.

Recently, during an interview with NBC Golf, Saunders was asked, “What so resonated with you with Rafael Campos’s story?” Answering to which, he expressed the thoughts behind the decision. The ex-professional said, “I mean quite simply, I don’t know that there’s another individual, maybe not in terms of being a superstar or a name. There’s not an individual who embodies the spirit of Arnold Palmer, of my grandfather more than Rafa Campos.” Palmer, apart from his 62 PGA Tour wins, is famous for his kindness and thoughtfulness. Even Compos has similar traits. With his letter, it can be seen that he prioritized sport and community over himself. He wrote in the letter stating that he aims to increase the presence and popularity of the sport through his participation in Puerto Rico.

Saunders also continued to point out similarities, saying the golfer does the right things with his presence. He said, “Does everything that any tournament director could dream of, but amongst his peers there has never been a guy out there that doesn’t like Rafa Campo.” The golfer, being a “big believer,” has been good on his part, grateful for the opportunities, and filled with a never-give-up attitude. He has written 70 letters in the past seeking sponsor exemptions but was only invited once before at the 2021 Valero Texas Open.

The letter has worked for the golfer for the second time and has earned praise for his humble nature and noble gesture of promoting golf in the Caribbean. However, on the other hand, Spieth, who had to swallow a hard pill, is planning for his return.

Jordan Spieth’s plan after getting snubbed at Arnold Palmer Invitational

The golfer with 13 PGA Tour victories is struggling to get participation at the signature events. Earlier, due to his wrist injury, he had to stay away from the course after his last participation at St. Jude. However, in the 2025 season, he has observed mixed performances in his four appearances. He debuted at Pebble Beach through sponsor exemption, where he was placed T69. Later, at the Phoenix Open, he redeemed himself with a T4 finish. But the same pattern followed in the latter two as well. He missed the cut at the Genesis Invitational while being positioned at T9 at the Cognizant Classic.

Top Comment by Vincent Vanacore

Spieth gets way too much attention by NBC they cover him like they do Tiger ridiculous … He is an average player NOW let’s...more

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Debate

Despite the ups and downs and not getting the exemption. Spieth has laid his plan straight after his performance at the Genesis Invitational. He shared with the PGA Tour, saying, “Right now I’m on the right track back. I’m progressing, and I know that I’m on the right track.” The performance with top 10 and top 5 finishes is an indicator that the golfer is getting back his rhythm. However, the consistency of his long break has been hampered. Even he knows that, too.

He said, “But the problem is I’ve been so far off for so many years that if that’s 10,000 reps, it might take 20,000 to be where I want to be.” Now with the extra mile struggle and being the least preferred for the exemption. The golfer only has a good finish as an option to secure his place in the upcoming events. Will Jordan Spieth be able to do that? What are your thoughts on it? Share with us in the comments below.