Jordan Spieth faced the fury of the golfing world after he received an exemption from Tiger Woods to take part in the Hero World Challenge.
Golf fans were frustrated that Spieth, who hasn’t won since April 2022, was granted a special invite to the event, which features 10 of the 20 top-ranked players on the planet.
Meanwhile, the three-time major winner is ranked number 62 in the world golf rankings, and despite not delivering the performances that once earned him the number one rank, he continues to be granted exceptions to the PGA Tour’s premier events.
But as fans fume at Tiger Woods’ decision, Spieth has earned the right to play.
Why Jordan Spieth deserves invitation to Hero World Challenge
Spieth was once must-see TV. He didn’t coolly and calmly dispose of his opponents like Scottie Scheffler on the way to his major championship victories. Instead, he rode a rollercoaster to the finish line, scrambling for trick shots and miracle birdies to oohs and ahs from the galleries.
Spieth overcame his erraticism on the course with miraculous shots to win The Masters, the US Open, and The Open Championship between 2015 and 2017. Sometimes, he fell victim to that playstyle, as Spieth threw away the 2016 Masters after holding a five-stroke lead on the back nine.
But no matter the result, Spieth had fans on the edge of their seats, and that legacy lives on today as the American remains a needle-mover for fans. Like it or not, he draws eyes. That’s why the PGA Tour still views Spieth as a star who must feature in their biggest events.
And ultimately, that is what winning multiple majors should do for your career. When Spieth won The Masters and the US Open in 2015, he entered a new realm of golf superstardom. That has to matter.
Spieth earned the right, albeit 10 years ago, to be considered among the biggest names in the sport. That’s why he continues to be given opportunities to win the biggest events. It’s not favoritism. It’s business.
It’s best for the PGA Tour for their stars to play in their events, whether they are in form or not. Fans cannot complain one moment about golf’s most prominent figures not playing enough events, then the next be enraged when players such as Spieth are invited.
The Hero World Challenge does not offer FedEx Cup points, so there’s no competitive benefit to Spieth’s invite. But even if there was, Spieth still deserves that edge. By winning his majors, Spieth earned the right to more opportunities for points.
That’s why winning matters. It’s not only a trophy to place in your cabinet or a jacket to put in your wardrobe. Winning multiple majors should earn a player a higher standing in the golfing world, and that’s exactly why Spieth should be playing in these events.
The key area Jordan Spieth needs to improve in 2026
While Spieth may be known for his chipping around the green and sinking long putts in big moments, he’s at his best when his irons are locked in.
In 2015, when Spieth won two majors, he gained 0.74 strokes on the field approaching the greens, and in 2017, Spieth gained 1.15 strokes on approach.
His most recent win, the 2022 RBC Heritage, came when Spieth’s irons were hot, not his putter. In fact, he lost strokes on the green on the way to a playoff win against Patrick Cantlay.
Spieth can get erratic with his irons. That’s been a major downfall of his in recent seasons, which has seen him frequently take the scenic route around holes. He lost strokes on approach in 2024, and it was one of the weaker areas of his game this year.
What used to be a strength of his has now become a weakness, and to rise back to the top, that must be amended.
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