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Garrigus Disappointed Over Extra Signature Event, Challenges Spieth for Sponsor Invites

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ajayi Segun | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 5:17 PM ET

Robert Garrigus has expressed his dissatisfaction over the PGA Tour’s decision to add another Signature Event, saying it makes life tougher for players outside the spotlight. The 47-year-old also took aim at Jordan Spieth for the imbalance in sponsor invites and challenged him directly.

Garrigus Wants to Play Spieth For Any Amount

PGA Tour veteran Garrigus criticized the addition of a ninth Signature Event—the Miami Championship at Trump National Doral. These limited-field tournaments offer huge $20 million purses and substantial FedEx Cup points, but the Tour reserves them mostly for the top 70 players. That leaves little room for competitors fighting just to stay on the Tour.

The PGA Tour introduced Signature Events to fend off LIV Golf, offering massive $20 million prize funds to smaller, limited fields of 70 players, usually without a halfway cut. Garrigus aimed his frustration directly at Jordan Spieth, a player who continues to receive sponsor invites despite not always being among the top-ranked players.

The 47-year-old fumed and, at the same time, challenged Spieth after another player, James Hahn, told him about the new Signature Event. Garrigus said, “So, does that mean one more sponsor invite for Jordan Spieth?” He then added, “Tell Spieth I’ll play him for any amount he wants. If I win, I get his five invites to the Signature Events.”

Spieth Continues o Benefits Despite Difficult Recent Form

The PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule will look almost the same as the 2025 version, but with one key change. The Tour has added another Signature Event, raising the number from eight to nine, in order to bring back Trump Doral.

These Signature Events are limited-field tournaments with bigger purses and extra FedEx Cup points . They are usually reserved for the top 70 players, making it difficult for others to qualify. What frustrates players like Robert Garrigus is that sponsor exemptions still exist, allowing golfers to play in these events even if they don’t meet the criteria. Garrigus has been a pro since 1997 and a Tour player since 2006, competing in 384 PGA Tour events during that time and winning just once. However, Spieth is a three-time major winner with 13 career victories in total. The 32-year-old continues to benefit despite his poor form in recent times.

Jordan Spieth received five sponsor exemptions for Signature Events in 2025. That upset several players who felt the system was unfair. The concern is not just about money but also about points. Spieth collected FedEx Cup points from those starts, which gave him an advantage in reaching the playoffs. Once a player makes the playoffs and gets through the first round, he automatically qualifies for every Signature Event the following year.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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