Both Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth failed to earn themselves a spot to compete at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill next week, and Tiger Woods will also be absent

The organizers of the Arnold Palmer Invitational pulled a surprise by denying sponsor exemptions to PGA Tour fan favorites Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth.

Tournament director Drew Donovan declined to name any of the four sponsor invites or to divulge the selection committee’s criteria.

Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, told Golfweek on Thursday that despite their popularity, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth would not receive exemptions into the field for the Arnold Palmer Invitational next month.