[Bob J]

Parse it anyway you want, the fact is exemptions are nothing but a way to get around qualification rules. By your definition, if BofA gave an exemption invite to Bill Clinton because they thought it would increase media coverage and TV ratings, he would have "earned" that spot.

Gimme a break.

[William McKinley]

But with very few exceptions, the sponsor slots are in every single tournament. They are a fact of life. Perhaps you feel there should not be any such exemptions, which is fine, but the sponsors negotiate to have them, and without the sponsors there would be no tournament, so to me it seems pretty clear that they have earned the right to have them.

[William McKinley]

Oh and by the way- if Bill Clinton met the other standards that go with the sponsor slots (such as a 2 handicap), then yes, the sponsors could very well invite him and I would not say he did not belong there.

And I would laugh my ass off as he got killed by everyone, and snicker that he has even a worse physique than Craig Stadler.