PGA Tour pro hammers leadership after Rory McIlroy's huge $15m bonus
Rory McIlroy has won the PGA Tour's Player Impact Program for the very first time, winning a massive bonus of $15m.
PGA Tour pro Nate Lashley has called for a change in leadership after seeing Rory McIlroy won the 2023 Player Impact Program (PIP).
The inaugural PIP was held in 2021 and was largely seen as a social media popularity contest.
The PIP was designed to reward players who generate the most interest in the PGA Tour, with metrics such as Google searches, news article mentions and social media reach and engagement taken into account.
Unsurprisingly Tiger Woods claimed the cash bonuses in the first two years, scooping $8m and $15m.
Notable players who went on to join LIV Golf, such as Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau were awarded cash bonuses in the first PIP.
DeChambeau later claimed his cash prize was withheld after he was suspended for joining the rival league.
McIlroy was, unofficially, confirmed as the 2023 winner after an email from a PGA Tour official was leaked.
Lashley posted on Instagram after seeing the results: "How many golf fans actually know what the PIP on the PGA Tour is?
"Would love to hear from golf/PGA fans if they think this $100m was spent well?
"There's 150-200 members of the PGA Tour and they just spent $100m on 20 players.
"Seems a little ridiculous.
"Time for new leadership on the PGA Tour. This is an absolute kick in the face for the rest of the PGA Tour players."
McIlroy's bonus comes shortly after he received another $3m cash bonus for claiming the Race to Dubai title for a fifth time.
The Northern Irishman had a total of two worldwide wins in 2023.
At the time of writing he has earned approximately $140m in career prize money.
McIlroy, 34, recently resigned his powerful position on the PGA Tour's policy board after a tumultuous two years in men's professional golf.
He led the Tour's fight against the LIV Golf League and later claimed he felt like a 'sacrificial lamb' after the PGA announced a framework agreement with the PIF of Saudi Arabia. PIF bankrolls LIV.
Elsewhere, Jon Rahm, who is said to have agreed a $600m deal to join LIV, finished third in the 2023 PIP and claimed a $9m bonus.
In full, 2023 PIP results:
- 1. Rory McIlroy $15m
- 2. Tiger Woods $12m
- 3. Jon Rahm $9m
- 4. Jordan Spieth $7.5m
- 5. Scottie Scheffler $6m
- 6. Rickie Fowler $5.5mm
- 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
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