Mickelson's PIP 1st Place Bonus 9.5 Billion KRW, Woods 2nd Place 7.1 Billion KRW... "What is PIP?"

PGA Tour's New Event This Year Distributes Total $40 Million to Top 10 Players Including $8 Million for No.1 Based on Popularity 'Money Feast'

Phil Mickelson (left) and Tiger Woods are expected to take first and second place in the PGA Tour 2021 PIP rankings.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "An $8 million (9.47 billion KRW) jackpot."

The veteran Phil Mickelson is expected to top the newly established Player Impact Program (PIP) on the PGA Tour this year. On the 30th (Korean time), Golf Channel USA reported, "Based on various sources, Mickelson is first, Woods second." PIP is a so-called popularity bonus that distributes a total of $40 million (47.37 billion KRW) among the top 10 players, with $8 million for first place and $6 million for second place. This amount will increase to a whopping $50 million (59.21 billion KRW) in 2022.

Interestingly, the ranking is unrelated to performance. It is based on five criteria: a player's Google search volume over the year, media coverage, personal social media following, TV broadcast exposure, and Q Score points used by promotional marketing firms. This is a direct effect of the launch of the Saudi Arabia-led Premier Golf League (PGL). Starting in 2023, the PGL plans 18 tournaments per season, including 12 in the U.S., with total prize money of $20 million per event and a winner's prize of $4 million (4.74 billion KRW), enticing global stars.

In response, the PGA Tour has prepared various incentives such as the PIP and the "Comcast Business Tour Top 10" prize pool of $20 million (23.68 billion KRW) based on rankings before the August playoffs (PO). It is somewhat surprising that "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (both from the U.S.) ranks second. After a car rollover accident in February, Woods appeared with his son Charlie at the recent PGA Tour event, the PNC Championship, drawing significant spotlight after a 10-month hiatus.

Mickelson became the oldest major champion (51 years old) at the PGA Championship, his second major, last May. Golfweek reporter A. Lynch posted on social media, "The evaluation period lasts until the end of December, and it will take several weeks after the new year to finalize the exact tally," leaving room for Woods' participation in the PNC Championship to be further reflected. The PGA Tour also responded, "The exact results will be notified to members in February 2022."

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