You're right about the sponsors being able to use their exemption to invite whom ever they choose. That's nothing new, it's been going on for decades. Annika being being a female is what created the media frenzy......exactly what the sponsors were looking for.

The women playing on the PGA Tour issue has died the death it deserved. Until a woman can earn a PGA Tour Card (not in this lifetime ) you won't see them on Tour with any regularity. The "blush is off the rose." Golf fans want to see real golf competition, not a woman struggling to make a cut. Michelle Wie will probably play in the Sony Open at the start of next year, (another publicity seeking sponsor's exemption) but other than that, don't look for a woman to play a PGA Tour event again anytime soon.