Westwood gets sponsor's exemption for St. Jude Classic

text size

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Lee Westwood is getting a sponsor's exemption to the St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew.

Westwood is not a PGA TOUR member, and had mentioned he had no trouble getting exemptions to tournaments he wants to play except for one. That was in Memphis, Tenn., headquarters of FedEx, which has a longtime relationship with the St. Jude Classic.

St. Jude Classic tournament director Phil Cannon said Wednesday that Westwood has been offered an exemption. Cannon said Westwood only asked for an exemption last week, and that a dozen players were under consideration for the spot.

Cannon said it made sense to have the No. 4 player in the world at the St. Jude Classic, which is a week before the U.S. Open.