Michael Kim says how he really feels about Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth sponsor invite controversy

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While the PGA Tour definitely appears to have reestablished itself as the best stage for the world’s top players, Brian Rolapp will need no one to tell him that there is still plenty of work to be done.

The PGA Tour is going through a number of significant changes right now, with only the top 100 players in the FedEx Cup in 2025 remaining full members for the upcoming season.

That makes the signature events all the more important. It is going to be incredibly difficult for players outside the top 50 to keep their full membership in the years to come.

That is, of course, unless they receive a number of sponsor invites.

Michael Kim comments on the number of sponsor invites Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth receive

The likes of Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler played in the majority of signature events in 2025 despite failing to get near the top 50 the previous season.

Fowler made the most of his opportunity by going on to finish 32nd in the FedEx Cup last year. Spieth, however, will be relying on further invites in 2026. And no one will be shocked to see the three-time major champion receive plenty of them.

It does not appear to be at all fair. However, speaking on the Pat Mayo Experience, Michael Kim insisted that it is right to make sure the biggest names are in the field.

“I know there’s the whole narrative about certain guys getting all the exemptions, but that’s what they’re for,” he said.

“I have never had a problem with certain guys, Jordan, Rickie, Adam Scott, getting all those signature events. Those guys are stars. And they still have to play well. Yeah, there are no cuts, but a 45th, a 50th at a signature event does you very little good because of how the points work now.”

The problem with defending Jordan Spieth and the number of signature events he featured in last year

There is a problem when it comes to defending Spieth’s position, in particular. Spieth himself admitted that he does not like relying on invites so often during the last season.

But in an ideal world, you would argue that Spieth should repay those opportunities by teeing it up in the fall.

The 32-year-old did not play once between the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the Hero World Challenge. With that, he lost his place in the top 60 in the standings which would have at least earned him two signature event starts in 2026.

It is almost arrogant of Spieth. Deep down he would have known that he could probably not tee it up in the final events of the season and still receive invites in the new year.

Spieth has given plenty to the PGA Tour over the years. And his priorities have clearly changed given that he has a young family.

But it would be no surprise if a number of players were not quite as understanding as Kim given that he was not prepared to play and hand those fall events a much-needed boost.