The Player Impact Program (PIP) is something that has been keeping everybody on their toes, desperate for any slight piece of information they can get their hands-on. Ever since the PGA Tour announced this special fund and added that they won’t be revealing the list of winners, things haven’t sat quite well with us, have they?
How can we not know who holds such an important title? Did Phil Mickelson win it? Or, as recently spoken of, is Bubba Watson on the top-10?
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The PGA Tour will distribute the $40 million PIP fund amongst those 10 golfers who bring the most attention to the sport. In their own words, it is “a program designed to reward the players who have the biggest positive impact on our business.” Perhaps this basically points towards the entities with most fan following, social media interaction, and name searches.
So, some names were obvious. However, a lot of them we’ve had to guess.
Dan Rapaport thinks Bubba Watson could’ve won some PIP share
Dan Rapaport took to Twitter to reveal what he thought, “One semi-surprising name I’ve heard in Player Impact Program top 10 rumors… Bubba Watson. Very well-known by general public, big social following, lot of news coverage with his book/mental health discussions…”
One semi-surprising name I’ve heard in Player Impact Program top 10 rumors…Bubba Watson.
Very well-known by general public, big social following, lot of news coverage with his book/mental health discussions. Don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the top 10. Serious chance.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) January 7, 2022
However, if Watson were to have made it onto the top 10, then fans won’t be as surprised. While not a favorite among fellow golfers on tour, he is quite intimate with the fans. Moreover, unlike Phil Mickelson and others, this is not a development brought about after the PIP announcement. No, he has always been active on social media, frequent with updates of his life and interaction with the audience.
Moreover, the 12-time winner on the PGA Tour is a massive supporter of the LPGA. In fact, not only does he advocate for the attention that they deserve, but he is not hesitant to show it.
At the 2021 Solheim Cup, he was one of the biggest supporters, present all week in the stands with a massive smile on his face. He even reportedly offered his help to the American team captain Pat Hurst!
Here is what the golf world on Twitter had to say-
Support of the women’s game too. I used to not care for him personally. But he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. #bubbacuts
— Matthew Christie (@mfchristie1) January 7, 2022
Not sure why top 10 is surprising. Top 3 absolutely. Bubba has been dominating social media well before Phil started pushing his coffee & Bombs videos.
— Mark Knable (@birdiesnpar) January 8, 2022
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He’s a player and golf fan! He is always helping in team events regardless of being picked plus his huge help with the LPGA tour. He deserves #PIP points. At least top 10
— M🌕🌕Nbeam Golf and such (@koloraphtis) January 8, 2022
why is @bubbawatson a surprise? he supports that rich kid thing the week before the Masters, supports the @LPGA (which is hard to do), and has social media following. etc.
— RAF (@AceGolfer01) January 8, 2022
It’s all a disgrace. Just pay appearance money and be done with it. The rumoured one and two either don’t play any more or want to get into bed with the Saudis. The PIP has worked well in its objectives.
— Rob Walker (@mickley42) January 8, 2022
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He actually deserves it
— Patrick S (@pRoJeCtPaT16) January 8, 2022
not to mention he’s been all over womens golf, sick move, that’s gotten a ton of chatter i feel
wouldn’t be surprised, good for bubba— Alex Rohrer (@alexare_) January 8, 2022
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What do you think of this? Could he have beaten all the others to bag a spot?
