Despite an extended absence in 2021 following his car accident, the living legend of world golf remains the player generating the “most positive interest” in the US Tour.
Tiger Woods hasn’t played in an official tournament in over a year, but he still beat PGA Tour heavy hitters Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm to win the ‘Player Impact’ program top prize. “: an annual bonus of 8 million dollars issued by the American circuit.
Announced in April 2021, the “Player impact” concept rewarded ten golfers for the first time by distributing $40 million to them. It was implemented in 2021 as a way to reward players who “move the needle positively” and “generate the most positive interest” for the PGA Tour. A way for the American circuit to show that it also knows how, like the recent announcements of competing circuits, to reward its best elements other than through their sporting performances alone.
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In 2021, Tiger Woods suffered career-threatening leg injuries after a serious car accident in February. He spent much of the year out of the spotlight before competing with his 12-year-old son Charlie in an unofficial 36-hole tournament last December.
A month earlier, Woods ignited social media and sparked worldwide interest when he posted a video of himself at the driving range, hitting a half-full bucket of balls, with the caption “work in progress”.
Mickelson, who became the oldest winner at 50 years of a major golf tournament at the USPGA, for his part received $ 6 million as a finalist. He is currently taking a break in the wake of the sporting stir over comments he made about the Saudi-funded golf league…
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Behind them, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas each received $3.5 million respectively. Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Bubba Watson rounded out the list and each received $3 million.
Each individual’s impact score was determined using five metrics: popularity in internet searches; unique news articles that include a player’s name; a player’s social media reach; the assessment of Nielsen brand exposure and general awareness among the US population at large. The results have been certified by an independent auditor.
The PGA Tour said the bonus pool for the 2022 Player Impact Program will increase to $50 million in total.
