Confirmed: Rory McIlroy dethrones Tiger Woods in PGA Tour's popularity contest
Rory McIlroy has beaten Tiger Woods to the PGA Tour's top prize of $15m in the 2023 player impact program. Click here to see all the results.
It's official: Rory McIlroy has beaten Tiger Woods to the PGA Tour's top prize of $15m for generating the most media interest in 2023.
The news was announced by the PGA Tour on 28 November. It is the first time the Northern Irishman has won the player impact program.
Woods demonstrated he still 'moves the needle' in men's professional golf by winning the inaugural PIP in 2021 and also a year later.
The 47-year-old picked up $23m for his two first place finishes. He's taken that to $35m after finishing second to McIlroy this year.
What is the PIP?
The PIP was introduced in 2021. It was designed to reward players who generate the most interest in the PGA Tour.
To determine the rankings, metrics such as Google searches, news article mentions, social media reach and TV time are taken into account.
It is unsurprising Woods and McIlroy top the list.
Woods' draw is as big as it ever was whereas McIlroy has taken centre stage amid a period of unprecedented disruption in men's professional golf.
The PIP is also seen by many as a means to prevent the PGA Tour's star players from joining the rival LIV Golf League.
Will the PIP continue?
The PGA Tour have confirmed the PIP will continue for the 2023-2024 campaign but the prize pool will be reduced to $50m and will be spread out among the top 10 players.
Scroll down to see the results from the 2023 PIP and from previous years.
Player impact program results
2023
1. Rory McIlroy, $15m
2. Tiger Woods, $12m
3. Jon Rahm, $9m
4. Jordan Spieth, $7m
5. Scottie Scheffler, $6m
6. Rickie Fowler, $5.5m
7. Viktor Hovland, $5m
8. Justin Thomas, $5m
9. Tommy Fleetwood, $5m
10. Max Homa, $5m
11. Xander Schauffele, $3m
12. Jason Day, $3m
13. Tony Finau, $3m
14. Collin Morikawa, $3m
15. Matt Fitzpatrick, $3m
16. Wyndham Clark, $2m
17. Cameron Young, $2m
18. Justin Rose, $2m
19. Patrick Cantlay, $2m
20. Brian Harman, $2m
2022
1. Tiger Woods, $15m
2. Rory McIlroy, $12m
3. Jordan Spieth, $9m
4. Justin Thomas, $7.5m
5. Jon Rahm, $6m
6. Scottie Scheffler, $5.5m
7. Xander Schauffele, $5m
8. Matt Fitzpatrick, $5m
9. Will Zalatoris, $5m
10. Tony Finau, $5m
11. Collin Morikawa, $3m
12. Shane Lowry, $3m
13. Kevin Kisner, $3m
14. Max Homa, $3m
15. Billy Horschel, $3m
16. Rickie Fowler, $2m
17. Adam Scott, $2m
18. Jason Day, $2m
19. Patrick Cantlay, $2m
20. Viktor Hovland, $2m
2021
1. Tiger Woods, $8m
2. Phil Mickelson, $6m
3. Rory McIlroy, $3.5m
4. Jordan Spieth, $3.5m
5. Bryson DeChambeau, $3.5m
6. Justin Thomas, $3.5m
7. Dustin Johnson, $3m
8. Brooks Koepka, $3m
9. Jon Rahm, $3m
10. Bubba Watson, $3m
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