The Player Impact Program results of the 2022 season are out with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy leading the table. However, many PGA Tour stars also have enjoyed the $100 million pool money, including Rickie Fowler, who has earned more through the PIP than his earnings on the course. Let’s take a look at the difference that exists between both figures.
Player Impact Program is a monetary award given to golfers, who according to the Tour “generate the most positive interest in the PGA Tour”. This year the prize pool was increased from the previous year’s $50 million to $100 million. Moreover, the top 20 players would receive their share of PIP money, unlike last season’s ruling of only the top 10 earning the PIP money.
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Though many changes were made to the PIP prize money compared to last year, the winner remained the same. Tiger Woods topped the list by earning $15 million. However, since the PGA Tour decided to increase the number of players receiving the PIP money, Rickie Fowler also got his share of the prize pool.
Rickie Fowler earned more from PIP than from competing
Undoubtedly, Fowler is quite popular among the current generation of golfers. However, he hasn’t had any pleasant tournaments in recent years. His last win came back in 2019 when he claimed the Phoenix Open in Arizona.
However, his poor run of form continued last season too, during which he had only one top-10 finish in 22 starts. Moreover, he failed to make the cut more times (13) than he managed to make the cut (9). And when he did make the cut, he only finished thrice in the top 25.
Read More: Despite Making the Rankings, Will LIV Golfers Actually Receive the PIP Money?
Overall, Fowler didn’t have an impressive season. He managed to earn only $1,072,929, which in the golf world may be considered less. However, evaluating his popularity and influence in the sport, the 33-year-old finished in the 16th position in the PIP rankings. This earned Fowler a decent $2 million.
A few PGA Tour PIP observations:
1. Rickie Fowler earned about twice as much in PIP money ($2 million) as he did in on-course earnings last season.
2. Kevin Kisner should give @RiggsBarstool a cut of that $3 million.
3. Scottie Scheffler No. 6(?!) for a cool $5.5 million?!
— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) November 22, 2022
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Rickie Fowler has 1.8 million followers on Instagram, while his Twitter handle has 200k fewer followers than his Instagram account. He has been on the Tour since 2009. Moreover, the Californian-born golfer has shown glimpses of a winning mentality by finishing as runner-up in three Majors in the past.
Hopefully, he ends his winless drought soon and finishes above in the PIP list as well as in the OWGR ranking next season. What are your thoughts on Fowler earning more through PIP than by on-course action? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Read Also: Rickie Fowler Has Huge Praise for F1’s Max Verstappen