DP World Tour pros slam ‘ridiculous’ PGA Tour money scheme

Several DP World Tour pros have hit out at the PGA Tour after results from a financial scheme were revealed.

The former European Tour has been widely labelled a ‘feeder’ to the American circuit, and the latest earnings in the States have not gone down well.

It was found that Rory McIlroy claimed the top spot ahead of Tiger Woods in the PGA Tour’s eye-watering Player Impact Program (PIP) last night.

And for generating ‘the most positive interest in the PGA Tour’, the Northern Irishman was handed $15 million, while Woods scooped $12 million.

First introduced in 2020-21, the popularity contest has an overall purse of $100 million, which has irked a few DP World Tour winners.

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Eddie Pepperell posted on X: “Pro golf is on a one-way street to nowhere. Lost its mind, and I’ve lost my respect and love for it.”

Meanwhile, nine-time tour winner Pablo Larrazabal said: “The PGA Tour gives away 100 million to the Players Impact Program (PIP), three times more than the money that they pay to the DP World Tour for all year.

“Well, I hope that Jordan Spieth makes the DP World Tour great again.”

Spieth was elected to serve the remainder of McIlroy’s time as a Player Director on the PGA Tour Policy Board.

Following continued uncertainty regarding the future of men’s professional golf, McIlroy resigned from his role, claiming ‘something had to give’.

But beliefs remain similar that the PGA Tour’s PIP purse – which will be reduced to $50 million next year – should be spent elsewhere.

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French pair Mike Lorenzo Vera and Romain Langasque seem to agree with Larrazabal, as the tour pros liked his post on X.

Shared to Instagram by PGA Tour pro Nate Lashley, the PIP results detailed the share of the $100 million pool across 20 players.

Outraged, he said: “How many golf fans actually know what the PIP on the PGA Tour is? Would love to hear from golf/PGA fans if they think this $100 million was spent well?

“There are 150-200 members of the PGA Tour, and they just spent $100 million on 20 players. Seems a little ridiculous.

“Time for new leadership on the PGA Tour. This is an absolute kick in the face to the rest of the PGA Tour players.”

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Masters champion Jon Rahm will take home $9 million, with Speith claiming $7.5 million and Scottie Scheffler bagging $6 million.

Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood and Max Homa will all earn $5 million to rank out the top ten.

Xander Schauffele, Jason Day, Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa and Matt Fitzpatrick finished between 11 and 15, respectively, to win $3 million.

U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and Open champion Brian Harman were among five players, including Patrick Cantlay, who will snatch $2 million.

Only the top ten on the list next year will share the reduced prize pool.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.