PGA Tour grants lifetime achievement exception to Tiger Woods, allowing him to compete in designated tournaments indefinitely.
The 'Lifetime Achievement Sponsor Exception' will permit golfers having 80 or more PGA Tour triumphs to participate in 'Distinguished Tournaments.'
Only active player Woods, with 82 career wins under his belt, fits the bill. The 15-time major winner shares the record for most PGA Tour victories with Sam Snead.
The PGA Tour declared they're implementing this adjustment to "elevate Tiger Woods to a uniquely recognized status."
Following a gathering between the PGA Tour's Policy and Enterprises Boards in Hartford, Connecticut, the alterations were given the green light.
The eight 'Distinguished Tournaments' on the PGA Tour schedule are the flagship events, offering higher prize money and more FedExCup points up for grabs.
FedExCup points are collected throughout the year, with the top 70 players qualifying for the Playoffs at the end of the season. Last year, an astounding $75 million prize pool was up for grabs, with the victor bringing home $18 million.
The eight ‘Distinguished Tournaments’ on the PGA Tour schedule include The Sentry, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Genesis Invitational – a tournament Woods has managed in recent years – the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo Championship, The Memorial Tournament, and the Travelers Championship.
Woods has claimed the Arnold Palmer Invitational eight times and The Memorial Tournament five times in the past.
However, after suffering severe leg injuries in a car crash in 2021, Woods hasn't had consistent golf game performance throughout each season and would typically fail to qualify for such events.
The 48-year-old has only participated in four tournaments this year: The Genesis Invitational and the three majors. He withdrew from the second round of the Genesis in February, finished 60th at the Masters, and missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open.
Another change the PGA Tour announced on Tuesday was that all 'Distinguished Tournaments' would ensure a minimum field of 72 players.
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Tiger Woods, being an active player with an impressive 82 career wins, will now have the opportunity to compete in the 'Distinguished Tournaments' due to the PGA Tour's lifetime achievement exception. Despite his recent challenges with consistent golf game performance, Woods has a notable history of success in 'The Genesis Invitational,' a Distinguished Tournament he has managed in recent years.
