Woods Tops PIP Rankings with Only Five Appearances, Scores Huge Bonus
First Place for the Third Time Following 2021 and 2022
Internet Search Volume and Global Media Exposure Quantified
Scheffler Second, McIlroy Third, Schauffele Fourth
Grades are not everything.
Tiger Woods ranked first in the PGA Tour Player Influence Program and received a bonus of 10 million dollars.
This is the influence of the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA). Last year, he played in only five PGA Tour events but still ranked first in the Player Impact Program (PIP). The Golf Channel recently reported, "Woods topped the 2024 PGA Tour PIP rankings announced to players last November," adding, "He will receive a $10 million bonus (approximately 1.46 billion KRW) awarded to the top player." Woods was ranked first in 2021 and 2022, and last year he was second behind 'PGA Tour marquee star' Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland).
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA) ranked second in the PIP, earning a bonus of $8 million (approximately 1.17 billion KRW). McIlroy, who was the PIP leader last year, dropped to third place. Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, and Collin Morikawa (all USA), who each won two major tournaments last year, ranked fourth to sixth. Players ranked third to sixth each received $4.5 million (approximately 660 million KRW). Shane Lowry (Ireland), Justin Thomas (USA), Tommy Fleetwood (England), and Wyndham Clark (USA) ranked seventh to tenth, each receiving $3.5 million (approximately 510 million KRW).
The PIP is a player influence index created by the PGA Tour in 2021. It was established as a response to LIV Golf's financial offensive. A total of $50 million (approximately 7.31 billion KRW) is distributed according to rankings. Regardless of performance, rankings are determined by quantifying internet search volume, global media exposure, social media mention frequency, and other factors. Starting this year, the PGA Tour will change the program. Including the PIP, it will operate the Player Equity Program (PEP), which distributes $100 million (approximately 14.63 billion KRW) annually to the top 20 players based on various indicators.
Woods participated in only five events in the 2024 season, including the four major championships and the Genesis Invitational in February. His performance was poor, with the only tournament where he completed all four rounds being the Masters in April. He withdrew midway through the Genesis Invitational and missed the cut in the remaining three major tournaments. He then underwent back surgery in September and focused on rehabilitation. Last month, Woods competed with his son Charlie in the PNC Championship, a family event on the PGA Tour Champions (senior tour), finishing as runner-up.
American sports media outlet ESPN also named Woods as the most influential figure in the global golf world. The outlet released a ranking of the "Top 25 Most Influential People in Golf in 2024," with Woods at number one. On the 7th, Woods and McIlroy showcased the screen golf tournament Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
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