PGA Tour pro defends 'BS' Pebble Beach sponsor exemption: "I get it looks bad"

PGA Tour pro Peter Malnati has launched an impassioned defence over the decision to be granted a spot in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am field via a sponsor exemption.  

A number of tour pros blasted the decision to award Malnati a place in the limited field, along with Webb Simpson and Adam Scott. 

All three players are members of the Tour's policy board and according to some grumpy golfers Malnati's inclusion, in particular, didn't pass the smell test.

"Peter Malnati has zero business getting an invite into a signature event and Webb shouldn't really either," complained one player to Golfweek. "It just seems very fishy."

On the surface, it looks as though Malnati was given the spot as a kick-back.

Malnati was one of the golfers who unanimously approved the PGA Tour's $3bn deal with Strategic Sports Group earlier in the week.

For his part, Malnati conceded it does look bad. "I get that," he also told the publication. 

But he was adamant he only wrote to AT&T to ask for an invite because he has played this event at the iconic links for the last decade. 

Typically the tournament hasn't attracted strong fields. In years past, several high-profile golfers have opted to play the conflicting Saudi International or just skip it altogether. 

Malnati told Golfweek: "I know why I felt worthy of writing a letter to get an exemption here. 

"It's not because I'm on the board. It's not because I vote. 

"I felt worthy writing a letter because I come to this event every single year that I've been on Tour, and I don't think there's ever been an amateur play with me who didn't have the time of their life. 

"That's why I felt comfortable writing a letter asking for an exemption.

"If the reason I got that exemption is because I'm on the board, that's not right. 

"If the reason I got the exemption is because this is my 10th year, I would say six of the nine I've played with Don Colleran from FedEx, but those other three years I played with three different amateurs, and there's always two amateurs in your group, not just one, and I take pride in making sure that those guys or gals have the time of their life."

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