Tiger Woods has done it again, claiming the top spot in the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program and pocketing a cool $10 million – despite playing in just five tournaments this year.
It’s the third time in four years that Woods has dominated this unique competition, which isn’t about winning on the course but rather measuring a player’s influence off it.
The 15-time major champion’s star power just keeps shining. Even with limited appearances, he generates more buzz, internet searches, and media attention than any other golfer.
What makes this win even more remarkable? Woods only teed it up at the four majors and the Genesis Invitational in 2024. But his massive impact on the sport goes way beyond tournament play.
One of his biggest moves this year was splitting from Nike and launching his own clothing brand, Sun Day Red. That kind of business power play shows why he’s still golf’s biggest draw at age 49.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler grabbed second place and $8 million. It caps off what’s been an absolutely wild year for him – winning nine tournaments including the Masters and Olympic gold, plus that bizarre arrest incident at the PGA Championship (where he still shot an incredible 67 after being released).
Rory McIlroy, last year’s winner, landed in third place with a $4.5 million payout.
The total prize pool for this year’s PIP was cut in half to $50 million, but it’s still bringing serious money to golf’s biggest influencers. The program measures things like:
– Internet searches
– TV exposure
– Media coverage
– Fan awareness
– Overall impact on the sport
Here’s how the rest of the top 10 finished:
4. Xander Schauffele ($4.5M)
5. Jordan Spieth ($4.5M)
6. Collin Morikawa ($4.5M)
7. Shane Lowry ($3.5M)
8. Justin Thomas ($3.5M)
9. Tommy Fleetwood ($3.5M)
10. Wyndham Clark ($3.5M)
Woods has now collected around $50 million from the PIP program since it started in 2020. Not bad for someone who barely plays these days – proving that in golf, influence sometimes matters more than tournament wins.
