TIGER WOODS has secured a £8million windfall after playing in just FIVE golf events all year.
It comes after the American legend beat Rory McIlroy to the 2024 Player Impact Program (PIP) award.
PIP was created to reward golfers who generate the most positive interest in the PGA Tour.
It’s the third time in the four years since it’s 2021 creation that Woods has taken home the money.
But the 15-time Major winner only played in five official events in 2024.
Woods made the cut at the Masters, but withdrew from the Genesis Invitational through illness and missed the cut at the next three majors.
He and son Charlie finished runner-up in a playoff loss to Bernhard and Jason Langer at the PNC Championship.
He was slated to play in last month’s Hero World Challenge, alongside his hosting duties, but had to withdraw due to a back problem that required surgery in September.
But as the PIP showed, Woods remains the biggest name in professional golf.
Back in January 2024, PGA Tour reached a £2.4billion deal with Strategic Sports Group – an investment consortium led by Liverpool FC owners Fenway Sports Group.
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And part of that agreement gives 193 eligible players the opportunity to hold an initial £744million in equity in the tour.
Scottie Sheffler finished second in the standings, taking home £6.8million.
Scheffler had a phenomenal 2024, securing nine wins, including the Masters, the Olympic Games, and the Tour Championship, which led to his first FedEx Cup victory.
McIlroy, who won the PIP in 2023, was third and collected £3.6 million.
The top five was rounded out by Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth, followed by Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Wyndham Clark.
Each of the top 10 players received a share of the PIP bonus pot, which was halved for 2024 despite the substantial payouts.
The ranking is awarded to those who boost the most engagement and exposure to the circuit.
It was created by US-based sports team owners in a bid to safeguard the business from the threat of LIV Golf.
The windfall is divided into groups, with players earning different amounts.
‘Group One’ splits £600million between a group of 36 players based on career performance and results in the Player Impact Programme.
‘Group Two’ shares £60million in aggregate equity, split between 64 players based on performance over the last three years.
While ‘Group three’ will receive £24 million in aggregate equity, shared between 57 players who have earned certain fully-exempt PGA Tour status.
Group Four will also receive £60million, which will be split between 36 former players who were instrumental in the building of the modern PGA Tour based on past performance.
