Expert: Skip Ward - 3/22/2002

Question
When a  player get's a sponser invatation to play in one of the major's, Please explain how this work's.

Answer
Dear Joe, thanks for the question. Two things, there are sponsor exemptions in regular tour events such as the Buick Open, and there are special invitation/exemptions to the majors.  Generally there are not sponsor exemptions for the majors due the nature of qualifying for these 4 events.  In the case of the regular events, the tournament sponsor is usually entitled to approx. 4 special invites that they can grant for reasons of their own such as boosting attendance by inviting a local hero who doesn't have full status on tour, or perhaps just a favor to one of their endorsers who has fallen on tougher times. (eg: Chip Beck, Buick spokesman)With Majors however, a player must qualify through that tournaments rules, and can only be offered an invitation through the tourney comittee.  This is usually used for legends such as Nicklaus or Norman into something like the US Open at Pebble Beach, say, because of their past success there.  Its really more of a nostaglia thing.  Good luck and remember,

Love the game
Skipper