Webb Simpson secured his fourth sponsor exemption into a Signature event. The PGA Tour released the full field for the Wells Fargo Championship. Simpson, along with Gary Woodland were the two sponsor invites. What makes Simpson’s case different from the latter is the 38-year-old is a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board.  

That’s also why his previous exemptions raised eyebrows, even within the PGA Tour. Some of his colleagues called it a dubious process that rewards popularity rather than merit. The former US Open champion’s fourth such exemption has added more fodder to the narrative.

Why is Webb Simpson facing the heat?

Webb Simpson, as a Player-director has been actively involved in Tour’s dealings with PIF and was also a member of the team that designed the Signature events. Previously, Simpson was in the thick of it all along with fellow board members, Peter Malnati and Adam Scott. 

Scott has somewhat ‘redeemed’ himself with five Top-25s from seven appearances. Whereas, Malnati by securing his first PGA Tour victory in nine years at the Valero Texas Open has qualified for the remaining Signature events. 

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But that hasn’t been the case for Webb Simpson whose best finish this season is a T30 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Additionally, the seven-time PGA Tour winner’s record at the $20M purse tournaments is T39. T30. T42. The Wake Forest alum is also 220th in OWGR and 143rd in the FedEx Cup ranking.

Calling more than one sponsor exemption unfair, Dylan Wu, Simpson’s PGA Tour colleague tweeted earlier, “Seems like if you’re a player director, you’ll get an invite into an elevated event. Seems suspect.” Another PGA Tour player told Golfweek on condition of anonymity, “It seems like collusion, a political game that should never happen on Tour. It’s very shady, if you ask me.”

His fourth exemption only bolsters that narrative. Fans believe that the Tour’s meritocracy model is broken. There are more deserving players worthy of that special spot than Webb Simpson, they opine. 

What happened to meritocracy, golf community asks

Webb Simpson is a seven-time winner on the Tour whose CV boasts a US Open victory, and a PLAYERS Championship title as well. But it’s been four years since his last triumph. Even last year, the 38-year-old had only three Top-25s. 

Instead of Simpson, the spot should’ve gone to young prospects, one of the fans chimed in. When the Tour’s ratings are at a historical low, it makes little sense to invite senior players, sources claim. “They need to push new talent ASAP. Min Woo probably does more for the tournament with one hype video than whatever Webb Simpson can do with an unlikely top 15.”

One fan noted, “Corny! Guy brings nothing to the table. Stealing money.” Another commented, “The tour is diluted with the loss of LIV golfers. Ratings also prove this. Most of these current winners would never have won anything had LIV golfers competed. Fact,” dubbing it “Wrong on all parts.” “Friend of the program get special treatment,” expressed another.

Others, however, thought the controversy was unnecessary. After all, Webb Simpson lives near the 7th tee at Quail Hollow. “Sponsors put up the money and can invite whoever they want, no problems with him getting the nod,” one fan wrote. “He lives on the course, of course he was going to get a spot,” another concurred.

Notably, since their genesis, Signature events have been a matter of controversy. Lucas Glover, former US Open Champion, called these ‘money grab.’ Many on the Internet seem to agree with his take regarding the same.