Jan 2 USTourexemptions
Last updated:
Thomas Levet is among 20 players who have been granted medical exemptions from the US Tour this year.
Tom Byrum is another of the 20 players who have been granted various levels of medical extensions for 2007. He had knee surgery this summer, causing him to miss the final four months of the season. Byrum will get 17 starts.
Scott Hoch also got a major medical exemption. Others on that list and the number of starts they get include Chris Perry (18), Scott McCarron (13), J.L. Lewis (14), Kevin Na (21), Hank Kuehne (21) and Carl Paulson (15).
Hoch’s request was peculiar because he is 51 and might not even play a full schedule. His exemption is a carryover from 2005, and Hoch can get as many as 27 starts if he wants them. He also is eligible for as many two more exemptions from career money, depending on how he does when – or if – he plays on the PGA Tour
“It would make it an advantage for me to play the regular tour for the sake of endorsements,” Hoch said. “The deals I’ve got are a lot more if I played the regular tour.”
Meanwhile, minor medical extensions – injuries that kept them from playing for fewer than four months – were awarded to seven players, including Rocco Mediate (10), Thomas Levet (10), Bill Glasson (3) and Steven Bowditch (5). Andrew Magee also received a nonexempt medical extension, giving him two starts.