Golfer Nate Lashley, upset that the PGA Tour spent $100 million in Player Impact Program (PIP) funds on 20 players, posted the results of this year’s program on his Instagram account and described the concept as “a little ridiculous.” While more transparency regarding PIP and its distribution would certainly be ideal, PIP rewards not only the on-course performance of one of the game’s biggest stars, but also the attention it brings to his PGA Tour throughout the year. It’s also helpful.
At the end of the 2022-23 season, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods stand as the big winners. This time, the positions were switched, with McIlroy taking first place and collecting $15 million, and Woods taking second place and collecting $10 million.
McIlroy, of course, has been at the pinnacle of golf both in his play (two wins, two runners-up, and two third-place finishes in 2023) and his role as one of the front runners on the PGA Tour.
I am. McIlroy, who recently stepped down as chairman of the Player Advisory Council, has been outspoken about LIV Golf in 2022, despite the tour having a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which funds rival leagues.
Woods didn’t get as much attention as McIlroy. After playing and qualifying for the Masters in early 2023, he was forced to withdraw over the weekend and subsequently underwent further surgery on his foot. He is scheduled to compete in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas this week, his first appearance since Augusta National.
According to Golf.com, the player’s impact on his program official includes internet searches, earned media (unique articles), television sponsorship exposure, general population awareness, and golf fan base. Awareness is combined somewhat ambiguously.
Here are the golfers who finished in the program’s top 20 this year and earned at least $2 million.
2022-23 PGA Tour Player Impact Program Results
$15 million
- Xander Schauffele
$3 million
- Tiger Woods
$12 million
- Jason Day
$3 million
- Jon Rahm
$9 million
- Tony Finau
$3 million
- Scottie Scheffler
$6 million
- Matt Fitzpatrick
$3 million
- Rickie Fowler
$5.5 million
- Wyndham Clark
$2 million
- Viktor Hovland
$5 million
- Cameron Young
$2 million
- Justin Thomas
$5 million
- Justin Rose
$2 million
- Tommy Fleetwood
$5 million
- Patrick Cantlay
$2 million
- Max Homa
$5 million
- Brian Harman
$2 million
PIP is ostensibly a way for the PGA Tour to influence its most popular players, the ones who get attention on TV and draw fans to their tournaments. It also represents a way to guarantee a good salary. They play in real events. That’s good for his 20 players, but not everyone is happy.
While leaking the memo, Lashley asked in his own Instagram post, “How many golf fans actually know what a PIP is on the PGA Tour?” Would you like to hear from a golf/PGA fan if he thinks the $100 million was wasted? The PGA Tour has 150-200 members, but he has 20 players and he has $100 million. I just spent. Seems a little silly. It’s time for new leadership on the PGA Tour. This is a complete slap in the face to the rest of the PGA Tour players.”
For those outside of the top 20, this is an understandable position, but it is also a misunderstanding of why PIP exists. More clarity is definitely needed, given the new threat of LIV and the lure of guaranteed money, and given that the list of eligibility factors remains unclear. No wonder they found a way to get paid for it. Your own guaranteed money.
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