Tiger Woods has won the PGA Tour’s first annual Player Impact Program, the controversial $40 million scheme that rewards players on their ability to engage fans, regardless of on-course performance. Woods receives a bonus of $8 million, according to figures obtained by Golfweek Wednesday morning.
Woods appeared at just one tournament in 2021, the PNC Championship in December, at which he finished second with his son, Charlie. Woods narrowly edged Phil Mickelson for the top prize. Mickelson receives $6 million for finishing second.
In a December 29 Twitter post that was widely reported by media, Mickelson claimed to have won the PIP. At the time, the PGA Tour confirmed to Golfweek that the program didn’t conclude until Dec. 31 and that there was a lag time of several weeks in metrics being reported, which meant the impact of Woods’ appearance at the PNC Championship had still to be measured.
The final PIP standings were audited by Grant Thornton and presented to the board of the PGA Tour at a meeting Tuesday night in Winter Park, Florida. A spokesperson for the PGA Tour declined to confirm the accuracy of the final standings to Golfweek.
The Player Impact Program began in secret in January 2021. Its existence was revealed by Golfweek on April 20. The PIP uses a range of metrics designed to calculate a Tour player’s level of fan engagement, including their popularity in Google search, their Nielsen Brand Exposure rating, and Meltwater Mentions, among others.
The creation of the PIP was seen as a reaction to the threat posed by the Saudi Arabian-funded Super Golf League, which is attempting to lure top players with guaranteed money. The PIP program represented the first time that the PGA Tour offered bonuses to members that were unrelated to their performance on the golf course.
In 2022, the PIP program will grow to $50 million.
Here’s a look at the entire list:
Bubba Watson of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club on December 10, 2021, in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Total PIP Award: $3 million
Jon Rahm (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
Total PIP Award: $3 million
Brooks Koepka during the Honda Classic Pro-Am in Palm Beach Gardens, Feb. 26, 2020. (Photo: Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)
Total PIP Award: $3 million
Dustin Johnson acknowledges the crowd after a putt on the first green during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course, South Course. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Total PIP Award: $3 million
Justin Thomas of the United States plays a practice round prior to THE CJ CUP at The Summit Club on October 13, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Total PIP Award: $3.5 million
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts on the second hole during the second round of the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club on August 27, 2021, in Owings Mills, Maryland. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Total PIP Award: $3.5 million
Jordan Spieth holds onto the flag on the 156th green during a practice round for the British Open at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, England, Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Photo: Ian Walton-AP
Total PIP Award: $3.5 million
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the 16th tee during the second round of The Northern Trust, the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs, at Liberty National Golf Club on August 20, 2021, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images.
Total PIP Award: $3.5 million
Phil Mickelson stands on the first hole tee during the final round of the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa on September 19, 2021, in Napa, California. Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Total PIP Award: $6 million
Tiger Woods looks on from the range during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes on December 19, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Total PIP Award: $8 million
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