Jordan Spieth Accepts Exemption to Play in HP Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, Texas, Jan. 25, 2010 – Reigning U.S. Junior Amateur Champion Jordan Spieth, a junior at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, has officially accepted an exemption to play in the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship.

This exemption will allow Spieth to play his first PGA TOUR event in front of a hometown crowd. Spieth is the Championship’s first amateur exemption since 1995. “We are delighted that Jordan will make his first PGA TOUR start at our Championship here in his hometown,” said George Conant, chairman of the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship. “We try to provide opportunities to young players that we believe will be future stars, and there’s no doubt that Jordan Spieth fits that mold.”

Spieth, age 16, is currently ranked No. 1 in the Polo Golf Rankings. He had top five finishes in seven of the eight American Junior Golf Association events he played in 2009, including his victory at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and a second place finish at the Junior PGA Championship. Spieth was named the Rolex Junior Player of the Year by the AJGA, which recognizes the top performers of the season at both AJGA and non-AJGA events.

Previous amateur exemptions granted by the HP Byron Nelson Championship include Trip Kuehne in 1995, and Justin Leonard and Tiger Woods in 1993.

The 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship will be played May 17-23 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas in Irving.