What’s the latest talk of G-town? Well, you’d think it’s TGL, but surprisingly, it’s the Player Impact Program (PIP) money that’s got everyone buzzing. Tiger Woods topped the list, taking home a whopping $10 million, despite playing in only five PGA Tour events in 2024. This marks the third time Woods has finished atop the PIP rankings, solidifying his position as one of the most impactful players in golf.

As impressive as this feat is, it’s worth noting that Woods’s total earnings from the PIP scheme are a staggering $45 million over the past four years. This raises eyebrows, especially considering his limited on-course activity. The question on everyone’s mind is: how is Woods earning such astronomical amounts without breaking a sweat on the course? The answer, much like the PIP program itself, remains shrouded in mystery. Critics are crying foul and are labeling the PIP payouts as “stupid and sick” while some are questioning the PGA Tour’s decision-making process.

The golf community is abuzz with discussions about Woods’s impressive PIP earnings. In the latest podcast episode by No Laying Up on Spotify, the hosts weighed in on the topic. “It’s stupid and sick, he’s making this much money just for being Tiger Woods,” one host exclaimed. Another host added, “I mean, he’s won 28 and a half million in FedEx cut money and 45 from the PIP, so basically, he’s won another 73 million in bonuses and pit money on top of the 120 million he made on the course.” Well, it’s true Woods has made $75.1 million as of 2023, but let’s be real it’s no surprise, given his insane track record. 82 PGA Tour wins, 15 major championships, 11-time PGA Player of the Year, and the list goes on, but are his PIP bonuses really justified?

A third host chimed in, “Despite competing in only five official events in 2024, Woods still managed to top the PIP standings, it’s a testament to his enduring impact on the sport.” As one host succinctly put it, “He’s still the needle mover in golf, and the PIP money is just a reflection of that.” However, the scrutiny surrounding the PIP payouts has put PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan under the scanner with many questioning his leadership and the tour’s financial decisions.

PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan’s hefty paycheck raises eyebrows

Hasn’t it been long since the golf world concluded that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s leadership has been, well, let’s just say “interesting”? And now, to add to the drama, it’s just been revealed that he raked in a whopping $23 million in 2023. Yeah, you read that right! His tax return shows a breakdown that’s pretty mind-blowing: a $12.1 million bonus, $2.5 million in post-retirement benefits, and $6.7 million in long-term incentive compensation, all on top of his base salary of $1,887,096. And get this – his right-hand man, Ron Price, earned $13 million, including a bonus of $7.8 million!

You’ve got to wonder if this is the best timing, given the drama that went down in 2023. I mean, Monahan was basically forced to take a time-out after it came out that he’d been secretly meeting with LIV Golf’s backers. And now, with the PGA Tour still trying to finalize a deal with LIV’s financiers, the news of Monahan’s massive paycheck is just adding fuel to the fire. It’s definitely not doing much to quell the controversy surrounding his leadership. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comment section below!