Tommy Fleetwood was not the only one to be surprised when quizzed ahead of this week’s Players Championship if he was aware Tiger Woods was no longer exempt to tee-up in the Tour’s flagship event.
Woods is currently among just among players to have Tour’s prize event twice while Jack Nicklaus the only player to capture the tournament three times since the first hosting in 1974.
Woods won the title in 2001 and 2013.
SOMEWHAT SURPRISE @TigerWoods NEWS ….
With the 15-time major champion no longer exempt to tee-up @THEPLAYERS & the news surprising @TommyFleetwood1 & plenty of golf followers
“That’s unbelievable”, was Tommy’s first reaction
Read: https://t.co/wKFIcUPw0g
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— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) March 10, 2026
Here’s how we learned of Tiger no longer being exempt.
Q. Tommy? Tiger for the first time in forever is not eligible for this event. We know the history of this event not giving exemptions. If Tiger wanted to play…
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Is Tiger’s not eligible for this event?
Q. He’s not.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: That’s unbelievable.
Q. If Tiger wanted to play what would you say?
TOMMY FLEETWOOD: I would say yeah. I would love Tiger Woods to play. I can’t believe he’s not eligible. How bad is Tiger Woods at golf? (smiling)
No, no, I am actually very surprised. I didn’t realize. You know, I wasn’t really sure what criteria goes into this tournament, but like, yeah, if Tiger Woods wants to play anywhere in the world I think, yeah, I think Tiger Woods should be able to play.
A check of the PGA Tour website reveals the following:
The field comprises 120 players who constitute:
- Winners of PGA Tour events since last Players
- Top 100 from previous season’s FedEx Cup points list
- Top 100 (medical)
- Major champions from the past five years
- Players Championship winners from the past five years
- PGA Tour winners from the past year
- World Golf Championship winners from the past three years
- Memorial Tournament, Arnold Palmer Invitational and Genesis Invitational winners from the past three years
- Top 50 from the Official World Golf Ranking the week prior to the event
- Senior Players Championship champion from prior year
- Korn Ferry Tour money leader from prior season
- Money leader during the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, if not the regular-season money leader
- Top 10 current year FedEx Cup points leaders
- Remaining positions and alternates filled from the current season FedEx Cup standings
