Woods "Up to 9.5 Billion KRW Bonus While Playing?"... "Player Popularity Starts in 2022~"

PGA Tour to Introduce 'Player Popularity Reward System' with $8 Million for Next Year's No.1 "Measured by Google Searches, Media Coverage, SNS Followers, and 5 Metrics"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Up to 8 million dollars (9.5 billion KRW)."

This is the bonus that the "Returned Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (USA, photo) can receive without participating in any tournaments. The PGA Tour recently unveiled the "Player Popularity Compensation System" to be introduced next year. The system allocates a total of 40 million dollars (4.75 billion KRW) to the top 10 players: 1st place receives 8 million dollars, 2nd place 6 million dollars, 3rd to 6th place 3.5 million dollars, and 7th to 10th place 3 million dollars. Interestingly, the 10th place bonus exceeds the prize money for winning a major championship.

This is the so-called effect of the launch of the "Premier Golf League (PGL)" led by Saudi Arabia. Starting in 2023, the league has set a total prize money of 20 million dollars per tournament across 18 tournaments each season, including 12 in the United States, with a winner's prize of 4 million dollars (475 million KRW). It is rumored that they have already secured annual incomes of 30 million dollars (35.625 billion KRW) by contacting world stars such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson (all from the USA), and Justin Rose (England).

The PGA Tour is also responding with a massive "money feast." The "Player Popularity Compensation System" distributes money based on player popularity regardless of performance. Popularity is measured using five criteria: Google search volume, media coverage volume, individual social media follower count, TV broadcast exposure, and Q Score points used by professional marketing firms. It was explained that "the more wins a player has, the more frequently and extensively they appear on Google, in the media, and on TV broadcasts."

However, although Woods retired from the PGA Tour after a car accident in February, every move he makes during treatment and rehabilitation becomes news. In fact, this year he ranks second in Google search volume after football player Christian Eriksen (Denmark), and first among golfers. He is drawing even more spotlight as he participates with his son Charlie in the "family competition" PNC Championship, opening on the night of the 18th at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club (par 72) in Orlando, Florida, USA.

It is notable that all players who have played five or more tournaments per year over the past five years are eligible. This means Woods can receive a large sum of money annually through 2024 even without returning to the PGA Tour. The activity period is from January to December each year. The top player in this system may differ from the PGA Tour season money leader, "Playoff (PO)" champion, or Player of the Year, as the PGA Tour season runs from September to August of the following year. The PGA Tour has also prepared another incentive, the "Comcast Business Tour Top 10" with 20 million dollars (23.75 billion KRW) based on rankings before the PO.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.