Despite Presidents Cup pick, Immelman earned his way
Posted
|
Gary Player was widely criticized for choosing Trevor Immelman as one of his two captain's picks for the 2005 International Team in the Presidents Cup. Immelman was unjustly branded as having received a free two-year pass onto the PGA Tour with the selection.
"I actually got myself exempt for 2006 by my own playing," Immelman said.
Immelman received special temporary membership on the PGA Tour the same day Player tapped him for a spot on the team based on his earnings to date that season. The $614,867 he won in 14 events was enough to rank 127th on the money list and get him a conditional tour card for the next season.
But being a member of the Presidents Cup team was worth a two-year exemption and got top billing in the tour's media guide, leading to the common misconception that he got a free pass.
Player was accused of playing favorites with his selection, choosing a fellow South African to whom he famously was a mentor. Eight players who might have been chosen for the team were ranked higher at the time than Immelman -- who was 56th in the world -- including five Australians, Japan's Shigeki Maruyama and fellow South African Rory Sabbatini.
Masters Record
| Year | Place | Score | Round | Money | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||
| 2008 | 1 | -8 | 68 | 68 | 69 | 75 | $ 1,350,000 |
| 2007 | 55 | 21 | 74 | 77 | 81 | 77 | $ 16,530 |
| 2006 | 60 | 7 | 75 | 76 | $ 0 | ||
| 2005 | 5 | -4 | 73 | 73 | 65 | 73 | $ 237,300 |
| 2004 | 79 | 9 | 77 | 76 | $ 0 | ||
| 1999 | 56 | 17 | 72 | 76 | 78 | 79 | $ 0 |
