View
comments
Tiger Woods is set to pocket an £5.8million windfall from the PGA Tour despite not playing in a single tournament all year, according to reports.
The Player Impact Programme, which was introduced by the PGA Tour in January, rewards professionals based on their social media popularity in a ploy to bring more fans to the sport.
Woods has not hit a single shot in 2021 after a horror crash in February ruled him out of contention.
Tiger Woods is set to pocket an £5.8million payout from the Player Impact Programme
But that hasn't prevented the former World No 1 from banking a tidy payout as he remains eligible for the cash that will be handed out to the top 10 players on the programme.
Woods leads the pack by a considerable margin, ahead of Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy in terms of Google searches.
Blockbuster names such as Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and current World No 1 Jon Rahm are all also projected to receive a payout, according to Sports Illustrated.
Rory McIlroy (left) comes in at second while Jordan Spieth (right) also features on the list
Woods helps 2020 Master champion and fellow PIP player Dustin Johnson into his green jacket
Brooks Koepka (left) and Bryson DeChambeau's (right) feud has dominated headlines
But strangely breakout Ryder Cup rookie star and Champion Golfer of the Year Collin Morikawa does not feature in the top 10.
The American misses the cut alongside some familiar faces such as Ryder Cup Team Europe veterans Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, Masters 2021 winner Hideki Matsuyama and the ever controversial Patrick Reed.
It is of course no surprise to see Woods top the list with the American star considered by many to be golf's greatest of all time and an icon to both those in and out of the sport.
Open Champion Collin Morikawa has missed the cut to earn a juicy bonus from the programme
Woods hasn't competed in a professional golf tournament since he attempted to defend his 2019 Masters victory at an unusually autumnal Augusta setting just under a year ago.
The 45-year-old was first ruled out due
