Sponsorship exemptions and fans’ opinions—a match made in controversy heaven! It’s like oil and water—they just don’t seem to mix. Most times. The latest drama unfolds with Michael Block’s entry into the 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge, where he’s received a sponsor exemption to compete at the Colonial Country Club from May 22 to 25.
NUCLR Golf shared the news on X, sparking a debate among fans, “ Michael Block returns. The PGA professional is in the field for this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge after receiving a sponsor’s exemption. Should someone else have gotten a spot, or is this deserved?” Given his performance, fans are questioning whether he deserves the exception or not.
Michael Block is coming off a tough week at Quail Hollow, where he missed the cut with a total score of 15 over par, carding 75 and 82 in the two rounds. What’s more, his recent history at the Charles Schwab Challenge hasn’t been kind to him, with two consecutive missed cuts – 6-over par in 2024 and 15-over par in 2023. Block’s bizarre excuse for his poor performance at Quail Hollow, blaming it on the smaller crowd size, hasn’t helped his case either.
Michael Block returns. The PGA professional is in the field for this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge after receiving a sponsor’s exemption.
Should someone else have gotten a spot or is this deserved? pic.twitter.com/Bu3YfQleuv
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 20, 2025
Fans are divided, with some supporting Block’s opportunity and others feeling that someone else might have been more deserving of the spot.
Netizens find the whole thing ‘annoying’ as they are ‘sick’ of Michael Block
Starting off strong with what one fan said, “Sick of this guy already”, while the other said, “This guy never goes away.” Well, the backlash against Block is prominent, especially ever since his comments following a dismal performance at Quail Hollow. After finishing 15 over par and missing the cut, Block said, “I love crowds… When there’s no one around is when I hit my worst shots… That’s something that I need more in my life is a bigger crowd.” He even went on to say, “I could only imagine what would have happened if I would have been playing really good this week.” This reasoning has left many golf fans scratching their heads, wondering how Block can genuinely believe that the sparse crowds were the main reason for his poor play.
“Should, no. Deserved, no. But I’m fine with sponsors giving exemptions to whoever they want”, said one fan while the other said, “This guy is undeserving of the spot.” Well, it isn’t the first time fans have gone mad on the Tour for their sponsorship exemption decision. Just last month, fans criticized the PGA Tour for inviting YouTube golfer Grant Horvat to play in the Barracuda Championship. Many felt he didn’t deserve the spot, as he hadn’t played in major pro golf events. Critics think exemptions should go to golfers with proven track records.
While many were against the decision, some were in support as well. “Block earned this moment. Sometimes golf needs more than just stats — it needs stories that inspire”, wrote one fan and well, the reason some fans think Block is deserving of the spot at the Charles Schwab Challenge is because of his amazing performances over the years, including his incredible run at the 2023 PGA Championship, where he made a stunning ace on the par-3 15th hole with a 7-iron, finishing T15 alongside golf greats like Rory McIlroy.
But what do you think? Is Tour right to give an exemption to Block? Let us know in the comment section below!
The post ‘Undeserving’: Calls Mount Against PGA Tour Sponsor as Golf’s Most Polarizing Figure Earns Invite to $9.5M Event appeared first on EssentiallySports.