The 23-year-old, Michael Brennan, entered the Bank of Utah Championship as a sponsor-exempt player. Who knew he’d make most of it by winning and earning a 2-year PGA Tour exemption? Not us, not him. Pro winning on a sponsor invite hadn’t happened since Nick Dunlap pulled it off as an amateur back in 2024 at American Express. This was indeed a big moment for Brennan, but this sponsor exemption phenomenon has its own drawbacks.

“I’ve learned this year that the sponsor invites are kind of a cr*p shoot. And you have like no idea what’s going on,” Brennan told Smylie on his show. “After my third win in Utah, I started texting my agent like I’m playing all the fall events, right? You know, that’s what I thought, kind of. I was like, you know, I’m playing great golf. Get me into every single tournament, and that didn’t happen,” said Brennan First, hinting at the uncertainty of it happening.

Brennan came to Utah off a dominating run on the PGA Tour Americas, where he notched three wins and clinched the Fortinet Cup. It was after this, he earned the sponsor invite. But before Michael entered Irvins, a chain of events took place.

“I was several weeks post-tour championship in America’s Tour and wasn’t in any events. And so I was like, man, like I guess I’ll just get ready for school. Yeah. I was just like, I’m playing good. Like, let me play,” Brennan added. “That was my pitch, and then I was driving back. I went and did a Dunning photo shoot with my clothing sponsor up in like New York City area. And I was driving back last Friday from New Jersey, technically back home, and got a call Friday afternoon saying, ‘Hey, you’re in the tournament.'”

Sponsors pay a ton to have their brand attached to a tournament, so they get to decide which players get those exclusive invites. This can be a local favorite, a top college amateur, or even a golfer with star power who lost tour status but still draws crowds. But during the process, the sponsors don’t really think about the inconsistency of scheduling that falls right on top of them.

Now, having a set schedule lets players build a routine for practice, rest, and travel. On top of that, getting into events last minute is a total hassle. Things like trying to book flights, find a place to stay, and squeeze in practice rounds on short notice aren’t easy.

“I got the call on Friday, and I flew out Sunday,” Michael added. “I played in a Monday qualifier for Bermuda the week prior in like Orlando area. So I was practicing for that,” he shared how it clearly disrupted his momentum, and how it does for other golfers.

No matter that it came with challenges, Brennan was happy he won. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Brennan said post-round. “Winning golf tournaments is one of the better feelings in the world. It takes a lot to play professional golf, and I have such a great team behind me.”

As a matter of fact wasn’t even supposed to be at Black Desert Resort that day. He was supposed to be in Canada for a sponsor event. His task was to hit balls into a simulator, give lessons, and compete in a closest-to-the-pin challenge. But then he got a last-minute sponsor’s exemption into the PGA Tour’s Bank of Utah Championship. And going there was the right choice. He became just the 13th player ever to take a Tour event while playing on a sponsor’s exemption. And only the eighth to grab their first Tour win in three or fewer starts.

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Michael Brennan proved his caddie right

Michael Brennan’s win at the Utah Championship is one for the history books. Veteran Billy Horschel, who finished T11 after a tough start to the tournament, took the time to congratulate Brennan. And why not? At just 23, Brennan went from a sponsor exemption to a PGA Tour champion. He closed in with a 5-under 66 to win by four shots at Black Desert Resort.

“Congrats to Michael Brennan on his victory,” Horschel wrote. “Impressive what these young kids are doing in professional golf. Professional golf has been getting younger for a while now, and that’s not changing anytime soon.”

Brennan’s run earned him a Korn Ferry Tour card, but his Utah win catapulted him straight to the PGA Tour, skipping the usual grind and giving him a two-year exemption. He even earned spots in the PGA Championship and RBC Heritage. Brennan said his caddie, Jeff Kirkpatrick, told him during his hot summer run that they would bypass the Korn Ferry Tour and make it straight to the PGA TOUR.

“I can’t believe he’s right,” Brennan said with a laugh.

Do you think sponsor invites are good and should be encouraged? Let us know in the comments below!