KAPALUA (Hawaii) – It’s the Tiger Woods rule.
Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner, announced that 13 events would be established by the PGA Tour with higher purses of $15 million to $25 million. He pointed out that only the best players would have to commit to playing in these events and that they would not allow them to skip any. Top players would have to play in these events to earn their Player Impact Program bonus money.
What does this mean for Tiger Woods, a two-time PIP champion? Woods earned $15 million to be ranked first in the PIP standings, despite only playing nine rounds last year. Woods won’t be playing in any of the designated events, as he has repeatedly stated in recent years (most recently at the Hero World Challenge in December) and again at this year’s PNC Championship in December. Monahan was asked by the media how Tiger’s restricted schedule would affect his bonus money during a roundtable at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Monahan stated that Tiger is not going to see a decrease. Monahan said, “It’s difficult for me to predict what’s going on until it actually happens. OK? However, I don’t think that will happen.”
Monahan’s answer begged the question: What happens to other top players who choose to skip more events? A writer was curious about what would happen if Rory McIlroy missed the first event in Maui.
I believe that …” Monahan stated before being interrupted.
Someone blurted out, “Do you have an existing policy?”
“Guys will play the events.” Monahan replied, “So that’s our policy.” “I have discretion, OK?” This is something that we have never done before. If that does happen, then I will work with my team to understand the situation and make a decision.
The Tour is creating its own rules. We know that Tiger can play as much as he likes and will not be penalized for any portion of his bonus money. The Commish can help anyone who has a problem with this.
