PGA Tour controversy ignites as star aims cheeky dig at Justin Thomas and Max Homa

Golf star Michael Kim has sent a cheeky dig at Justin Thomas and Max Homa amid the ongoing sponsor exemption debate.

The topic of conversation was back on the table ahead of the Zozo Championship, which got underway at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Japan on Thursday.

Fringe players on the are scrapping it out to get inside the top 125 and earn qualification for the 2025 season.

And with places at a premium, criticism has been levelled at players who have been handed sponsorship invites to events, in a last-ditch attempt to boost their ranking.

Joel Dahmen is among those, who has handed a sponsor exemption to compete at the Zozo Championship.

However, professional players have shared a different sentiment, with Kim posting on social media: "I can obviously relate to the guys that would love to get some free points and secure my card for next year, but I don't have much of a complaint about sponsor exemptions.

"These companies sign an eight-figure cheque. They can have four out of 80 spots to control.

"If I had played a little better earlier in the year, I would have been in the tournament."

Before sarcastically adding: "I'm more annoyed at Max Homa and Justin Thomas. Just stay home and watch the Dodgers and Bama so I can play goddammit."

It opens up a new side to the debate, with players seemingly unbothered by the exemptions, posing the question of whether fans should be too.

On the course, Taylor Moore led the way after Thursday's opening round, carrying a one-shot advantage over Max Greyserman, Nico Echavarria and Eric Cole into Day Two.

But the surprise on Day One came in the way of The Open Championship winner, Xander Schauffele, who labelled himself an 'idiot' after finishing up with a +3.

Commenting after the opening round, Schauffele said: "I should have just taken an unplayable, but I was an idiot and tried to hit it.

"Then I was stubborn and then tried to hit it again, then finally took an unplayable."

When quizzed on if there's a lesson to be learned, he added: "I think having false confidence helps at times, and in those spots it really doesn't.

"So I'll definitely try to assess it a little bit better next time and really think if I can get it out or not."