The PGA Tour hosts eight signature events each season. While these may not be as prestigious as the four Majors, they hold significant importance for the participating players. The fields for these events are smaller, typically featuring 70-80 players, similar to the playoffs, rather than the usual 156-player field tournaments.
These are selected only from the top performers of the previous or the current season. Apart from the top players being selected for the events, there are also certain exemptions, called sponsor exemptions. So, you either have to be in the top 50 of the OWGR list and the FedEx Cup standings or must pitch to the members to make your way through. Justin Thomas, among a lot of other players, was one such player who wanted to appear in the Signature event but started under the top 50. But he climbed his way up before the Sentry and became a part of the field. However, he thinks the format is a rather difficult one.
When asked about the format of the Signature events at the Tour Championship presser on Wednesday, Thomas said, “It’s extremely difficult. You have to have a very good year to be in the top 50 and earn your way into those events, which I think is fair, and rightfully so. I don’t think it’s something that you should get grandfathered into, whatever it may be.”
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According to him, it is fair for the top 50 players to make it to the field, but for the rest, it gets a bit awkward. “But yeah, reaching out to tournament directors, asking for exemptions, and telling them I hope I don’t need it, but if I do need it, can I have one type of thing,” added JT.
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USA Today via Reuters
May 16, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Justin Thomas walks on the 10th fairway during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
“But I was fortunate enough I think through World Ranking and the Aon Next 10 I was able to qualify for them”, said Justin Thomas for making it to the second Signature event. Sadly, it was not the same case for all the eight of them. His first 2024 signature event was the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Justin Thomas did not make it to the Sentry
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Justin Thomas did not have a great 2023 season, which made his chances of appearing at the Sentry, the first signature event of the 2024 season, very slim. However, he did not give up and seized his late chance for a comeback, thanks to his T12 finish at the Wyndham Championship and his 5th-place finish in the same event.
However, it wasn’t enough to secure him a spot in the field. The 30-year-old finished outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup final points standings, placing 55th. This prevented him from chasing the trophy for the third time at the Sentry. Still, his 2024 season has been much better compared to last year, and he even made it to the Tour Championship, ranking 30th in the standings!
