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Going into the Houston Open, Steve Stricker has only a maximum of 9 sponsor's exemptions. He inihed third at Houstin, which should either put him over last year's 150th money winner or within striking distance. If he passes that money figure, would he be entitled to unlimited sponsor's exemptions?

Also, Duffy Waldorf is one or two good finishes from passing the 150th mark, does that apply for him as well?

Greetings ...

For Exemption Category references, go to this -- PGA Tour Exemption Categories

According to the PGA Tour Media Guide, both Steve Stricker (162nd on 2005 Money List) and Duffy Waldorf (153rd on 2005 Money List) have "Past Champion" exempt status. On most weeks they will play out of Category-30 (Past Champions, Team Tournament Winners and Veteran Members beyond the Top 150 on the 2005 Money List).

As a past champion of a specific event (Category-18), Duffy Waldorf is eligible for the Barclays-Westchester Classic and Valero Texas Open. Likewise, Steve Stricker is eligible for the Booz Allen Classic and Cialas Western Open.

Both Stricker and Waldorf are listed on the 2006 Regular Members Money List, so they apparently still qualify for unlimited sponsor invitation priviledges.

Stricker got a Top-10 finish (Category-24) at Houston. This gets him into the Zurich-New Orleans field next week. NOTE - when the PGA Tour updates the field info on Monday, Stricker will be moved from alternate to regular entry status.

I believe Stricker has earned more money than the 150th player on the 2005 money list. Does this change his status like Ryan Moore received after the 2005 Canadian Open and Charles Howell earned in 2000 and 2001?

Looks like Stricker will also be in the Colonial event. With another top 5 finish, he may be in the Memorial field.

Greetings ....

I don't think the Special Temporary or Non-Member designation applies to Stricker or Waldorf.

(1) Are you ASSUMING that Stricker and Waldorf are on restricted status ==OR==
(2) Did you see something somewhere saying specificly that Stricker and Waldorf were on restricted status.

If yes to (2) - please tell me your source.

Greetings ...

It was back-breaking work, but SOMEBODY had to do it.

Stricker is a past champion, and he will stay on that status, unless he wins. Otherwise, he needs a bunch of top 10 finishes to keep playing. I thought that he might end up getting the same benefits as a temporary member if he passed the last season's 150th money mark. That would benefit him to unlimited sponsor's exemptions, which he has no chance of getting.

Greetings ...

WELL - I STAND CORRECTED!

Turns out that Steve Stricker had no status in 2006 after failing to get thru Q-School, and DID need to reach Special Temporary Status in order to be eligible for unlimited sponsor invitations.

Last week at New Orleans, Stricker secured his Special Temp status.

And I have also JUST realized that since both Stricker and Waldorf were not among the Top 150 Money Leaders of 2005, NEITHER player had full sponsor invitation privileges - something I should have known well beforehand.

Here's the news source that helped set me straight

Even the best slip up once in a while, Frank-0-Sport. Still, thanks for sharing that jackpot of golf info that you have accumulated with us.

Greetings ...

An official from the PGA Tour's Competitions Section responded to my e-mail inquiries RE Mr. Stricker. Here's what they had to say --

1: The online news article referred to my post prior to this one is in error - Stricker has NOT lost his use of unlimited sponsor invitations, and does NOT need to achieve Special Temporary status.

2: Stricker didn't actually "fail" to get thru Q-School. It is only that he finished just outside the Top 30 and ties. As a fallback, Stricker does have full Nationwide Tour exempt status.

3: For 2006, Stricker is playing out of PGA Tour Exemption Category-30 "Past Champions, Team Tournament Winners and Veteran Members beyond the Top 150 on the previous year's Official Money List". Stricker finished 162nd in 2005.

Additionally, Stricker has use of two Category-18 exemptions (for 2006 only): immediate past champion of the Booz Allen (ex Kemper Open) and the Western Open.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport