Jay Monahan’s and Charles Dickens have one thing in common: they both created a PIP which sparked high expectations among the lower ranks. Dickens’ Pip’ was the main character of his 1861 novel. Monahan’s version is more practical: The Player Impact Program, which is his controversial plan to reward players who have the greatest impact on the PGA Tour’s operations.
Monahan’s PIP measures only positive impact so Greg Norman is not included among its beneficiaries. However, much of the success is due to his invisible hand, just like Abel Magwitch’s Great Expectations.
Depending on one’s attitude toward the PGA Tour or LIV, towards meritocratic compensation or toward corporate talent retention policies, the Player Impact Program can be a bribe to get loyalty, money for nothing or a commonplace method to reward high-impact performers. These sentiments do not have to be mutually exclusive. Rather, they can overlap with reasonable judgments regarding the Player Impact Program.
The Tour announced this week the final results for the only race that lasts a full season and whose standings it does not aggressively promote. In 2022, the PIP pot grew to $100 million. The number of recipients also increased to 20, with three additional recipients added because it is too complicated to deal with. Tiger Woods received $15 million in addition to the $8 million he got from the inaugural PIP pool. This was despite Phil Mickelson’s Trumpian attempt prematurely to declare a victory that he had not earned.
This is $23 million for just being Tiger Woods. It took a lot to become Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods also adds tremendous value to the PGA Tour. The multiple of $23million is a significant amount. It took a lot to become Rory McIlroy (2nd, $12 million in ’22), Will Zalatoris (9th), $5 million, and Viktor Hovland (20th), $2 million. It will be up for debate as to who is more deserving of the PIP list, which includes everyone below Woods in mortals. This is a sport in which competitors love to brag about eating only what they kill. Also, because PIP payouts do not directly relate to how recipients perform within the ropes (also not completely true but less so this year ). ).
The criteria in ’22 tend to place more value on performance. Screen time on weekends telecasts is one example. However, carding a funny quad may guarantee that a chap gets plenty of airtime too. Other metrics also depend on how well someone plays and how often they play, so even though PIP bonuses might seem like a lot of money, it isn’t really money for nothing.
The entire program, which many believe is a transparent ploy to win player loyalty against LIV has proven to be remarkably ineffective. This is based only on season one. Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson split after they received PIP bonuses worth at least $3million. However, DeChambeau is upset that he has not been paid in full because he didn’t fulfill the obligations before he left.
Elon Musk is not the owner of successful businesses that make it a point to retain people who add value. The PIP is a good idea. The bonused players in ’22 were awarded it through exceptional play (Scottie Schffler), fan engagement (Rickie Foller), or both (Max Homa). It is clear that the engagement metric is the most contentious. This is because the Tour’s concept of “Live Under Par” was a great way to measure Woods’ lasting impact in his final years.
The PIP will not be able to see the tide in the event that there is another defection to LIV in 23. The bonuses are small in comparison to the potential consequences if Saudi oil gives a blank check to an individual with a vendetta looking for traction. The PIP highlights how lucrative life can be for those who are able to perform and keep their reputations. McIlroy did not win a major title, but he earned more than $40 million in prize money and bonuses, and he didn’t even have to be a butcher.
Woods’ contribution to the PGA Tour has been diminished by the fact that he is unable to compete with his former consistency and frequency. He still draws more eyes than any other player, just a few weeks short of his 47th birthday. He will be demonstrating this in the Hero World Challenge match against Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and at the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie. Is there anyone else who can make irrelevant golf relevant for December? The PIP bonus is a great deal for what he brings and it would stay that way even if doubled.
Woods’ contribution to the PGA Tour this season is not quantifiable. It was worth it when he flew to Delaware to support McIlroy at the player meeting. Or when he smashed LIV’s competitive integrity during a press conference at St. Andrews. During which he reminded the players that he has set a high standard and where and how. Woods was able to bring to bear the weight and reputation of his record when it was most important and proved that professional golfers’ value and his own values are now intrinsically linked.
Fifteen millions isn’t enough to cover it.
