Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods cashing in $14 million with PGA’s new player payouts

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are the big winners in the PGA's new payout system.
Getty Images for The Match

The rich are getting even richer in the PGA Tour’s new player payout system.

In 2021, the PGA Tour introduced a new “Player Impact Program (PIP)”, to reward golfers who generate the most buzz for the sport. Phil Mickelson tweeted that he took home first place, which comes with an $8 million prize.

I’d like to thank all the crazies (and real supporters too) for…………………
Helping me win the PiP!!
To get the 2nd half of the money I have to add an event I haven’t played in awhile. See you in Kapalua😘 🏌️‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏊
P.S. I’ll try and find another hot controversial topic soon👍

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 29, 2021

Golf Channel confirmed Mickelson’s boast and reported that Tiger Woods — who didn’t play in any official PGA events this year due to his debilitating car crash in February — earned $6 million for second place.

The PGA Tour denied to Golf Channel that these results are official, saying that the PIP runs through the end of the year and then must pass through an independent auditor.

The PIP list is tabulated according to five different metrics: Google searches, global media exposure (called Meltwater Mentions), social media reach (MPV Index), Nielsen TV ratings and Q-Score.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson after The Match in 2018.

Getty Images for The Match

If Woods, who turned 46 on Thursday, can take second place in a year where he doesn’t even compete, just imagine what could happen if he has a big comeback in 2022.