As Expected, McIlroy Ranks No.1 in PGA Player Influence

Top 20 Influential Figures in PGA Tour Announced
1st McIlroy Scores 19.5 Billion Won Bonus 'Jackpot'
2nd Woods 15.6 Billion Won, 3rd Rahm 11.7 Billion Won

Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) was named the most influential player on the PGA Tour.

The Telegraph Sports of the UK reported on the 23rd (local time), "McIlroy topped the PGA Tour Player Influence Index (PIP) this season. He will receive a bonus of $15 million (approximately 19.5 billion KRW)." The outlet explained, "Although it is not an official announcement, the PGA Tour leadership sent a memo to players listing the top 20 players on the PIP and the bonus amounts they will receive."

Rory McIlroy

The top 20 on the PIP share a total prize pool of $100 million (approximately 130 billion KRW) according to their rankings. 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) ranked second and received $12 million (1.56 billion KRW). Jon Rahm (Spain) came in third, receiving a $9 million (approximately 1.17 billion KRW) bonus. Jordan Spieth ranked fourth ($7.5 million), and Brian Harman (both USA) ranked 20th ($2 million), taking the last PIP bonus spot. No Korean players made it into the top 20 list.

The PIP is determined not by players' performance but by metrics such as Google search volume, global media exposure, frequency of mentions on social media (SNS), broadcast exposure, player familiarity, and likability. In 2021, the PGA Tour created this system as a reward for popular star players to compete against LIV Golf, which was established with heavy funding from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). This year marks the third edition, with Woods having ranked first in the first two editions.