Aug 22, 2025 11:07 AM EDT
The PGA Tour’s announcement of a ninth signature event for 2026 sparked immediate backlash among players, and Jordan Spieth ended up in the crossfire.
Robert Garrigus, a 47-year-old veteran with one career win, mocked the idea, as reported by Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, that the expanded schedule would simply provide more sponsor exemptions for stars like Spieth.
“So, does that mean one more sponsor invite for Jordan Spieth?” Garrigus said. “Tell Spieth I’ll play him for any amount he wants. I win, I get his five invites to the signature events.”
His shot at Spieth came during a conversation with James Hahn, another outspoken critic of Tour leadership, who has consistently questioned how money is allocated and decisions are made.
Hahn added his own sharp words for new Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, saying he had no interest in speaking with him unless he was prepared to “hear the truth.”
Robert Garrigus Challenges Jordan Spieth Over Signature Event Access
The introduction of another $20 million, no-cut event on the 2026 calendar is seen by many as a way to keep top stars satisfied in the post-LIV Golf era. But for pros on the fringe, like Garrigus, it deepens a divide between elite names and those struggling to make the cut each week.
Garrigus has long been one of the Tour’s more candid voices, and his challenge to Spieth was less about personal rivalry and more about calling out how exemptions often favor marketable stars over rank-and-file players.
He questioned whether a player like Spieth, who has not won on Tour since 2022 and has been battling inconsistency for years, should benefit from repeated sponsor invites while others grind to qualify.
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Spieth, once the face of American golf after winning three majors before age 24, has maintained immense popularity. Yet his recent record has failed to match the hype.
In 2025, Spieth has posted four top-10 finishes and sits outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings. For Garrigus, that disparity makes him the perfect example of how the system is skewed.
Hahn compared the Tour decision-making to a school project where mistakes are corrected only after they’re exposed. His frustration was aimed at the Tour’s financial approach, especially past programs like the Player Impact Program that funneled millions to stars such as Spieth and Rory McIlroy while drawing down Tour reserves.
James Hahn And Robert Garrigus Voice Concerns Over PGA Tour’s Direction
Hahn’s skepticism carried beyond the new event. He expressed doubt about how the Tour could sustain ballooning purses without reliable sponsorship, noting that the PIP alone drained more than $200 million from reserves in three years.
Hahn, who served on the Tour board until 2023, was the only player director to vote against that program.
His sharpest criticism wasn’t aimed directly at Spieth, but at the system that elevates players like him. Hahn pointed out that Rolapp, who took over after decades at the NFL, may already be leaning on stars such as Tiger Woods, McIlroy and Spieth while ignoring dissenting voices.
Jordan Spieth lines up his putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship
Jordan Spieth, who hasn’t won a tournament since 2022, was criticized by James Hahn and Robert Garrigus because of the PGA’s decision-making. — Source: © Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“He can get my number from Jay Monahan if he really wants to reach out,” Hahn said. “But I’m not willing to sacrifice my time to another executive who isn’t willing to listen.”
Both Hahn and Garrigus reflect a deeper tension within the Tour. They view new initiatives as catering to a handful of stars, while mid-tier and aging professionals face dwindling opportunities. For fans, it highlights the delicate balance between keeping golf’s biggest names satisfied and maintaining a competitive structure that feels accessible and fair.
The debate will linger as the 2026 schedule approaches. For Spieth, the criticism highlights his complex standing: adored by crowds, guaranteed spots in major events, but under scrutiny from peers who feel he benefits from a system tilted toward star power.
About the Author
Matt De Lima
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports
Matt De Lima is a trending news writer for Athlon Sports.