Tiger Woods wins PGA Tour PIP to claim huge payday

Despite competing in only five official events in 2024, Tiger Woods once again topped the Player Impact Program (PIP) on the PGA Tour. 

The PIP scheme, which ends this year, awards hefty sums to the players who generate the most positive media interest in the tour. PIP criteria is built on metrics including internet searches, earned media, TV sponsor exposure and fan awareness.

And according to the Sports Business Journal, Woods has now won the program’s top prize three out of four times.

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The 49-year-old competed in the four majors and the Genesis Invitational last season – but only made the cut once, with a 60th place finish at the Masters.

He typically remained away from the spotlight while launching his new Sun Day Red clothing brand, as well as becoming an influential figure in the future-defining talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

But regardless of his inactivity on the course, Woods is still recognised as the needle mover in the sport.

He banks $10million for finishing first in the standings, which were first released to players back in November. That is $5million less than Rory McIlroy earned for winning the race in 2023, though the PIP pool was sliced in half in 2024.

Woods’ total earnings across four years of the program have now reached $45million.

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Scottie Scheffler, the world No.1 and reigning Masters champion, claimed the $8million second prize after a year of dominance on the American circuit.

McIlroy, meanwhile, takes home $4.5million in third.

It is understood that only the top ten players were paid out, compared to the top 20 in 2023.

The end of the PIP scheme, however, is not the end of the huge financial incentives for players on the PGA Tour.

This season, following an injection of cash from the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), the tour has introduced a Player Equity Program that will divide $930m in initial grants to its playing members.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.