The 156-player field for the PGA Tour’s next designated event, the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship, won’t be finalized until Friday evening, but the tournament announced two special names on Wednesday.
The APGA Tour’s Marcus Byrd and Quinn Riley have both accepted sponsor exemptions for next week’s event, May 4-7, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Byrd will make his fourth start on Tour, and third of the season after teeing it up in consecutive events at the Genesis Invitational (playing on the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption) and the Honda Classic (after winning the APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines).
“I’m truly honored to play in the Wells Fargo Championship this year and thank everyone involved for the opportunity,” said Byrd, a 25-year-old graduate of Middle Tennessee State and three-time winner on the APGA Tour. “Being from D.C. and seeing the event last year inspired me, and I’m so thankful to play this year in Charlotte. From First Tee to support of the APGA Tour, I appreciate Wells Fargo’s commitment to championing young golfers.”
Riley finished first atop the APGA Tour rankings in 2021-22 and earned an exemption into last year’s John Deere Classic. The Duke University grad will make his third start on Tour at the Wells Fargo.
“This is a dream come true for me, and I’m extremely appreciative of Wells Fargo giving me the opportunity to play a PGA Tour event in my home state of North Carolina,” said Riley, a native of Raleigh. “I know Wells Fargo has supported where I got my start in golf at First Tee and now it has come full circle to being here at the Wells Fargo Championship.”
Players who have already been announced for the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship include Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Sam Burns, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.