PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem sent a memo to tournament directors to explain why Steve Elkington needed invitations to get into tournaments this year. At least two players criticized Finchem for favoritism.
Elkington had been exempt for 23 consecutive years until the former PGA champion finished 183rd on the money list last year and lost his card. Four other times he finished out of the top 125. He had a 10-year exemption for winning The Players Championship in 1997.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of Finchem's memo, which was dated Nov. 23.
"I think it's out of line," said David Duval, a former major champion who also has only conditional status this year. "It never crossed my mind to ask Tim to do that for me."
Tim Herron, who has been writing tournaments for exemptions this year, said it smacked of favoritism.
"That's terrible of the tour," Herron said from Bay Hill, where he is playing as a past champion. "The tour needs to be unbiased and treat everyone the same. That's like a slap in the face. Nothing against Steve Elkington. But the tour is supposed to represent the players as a whole, and not just one player."
Elkington told KRIV-TV in Houston he wonders how anyone could believe Finchem or the PGA Tour is showing him any favoritism.
"All I did was call Tim Finchem to see if he could get the board to consider giving me a year since I met the requirements for the Hall of Fame, which is 10 wins and two wins in the majors," he said.