CNN
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Tiger Woods has gained the inaugural Participant Impression Program (PIP) award, regardless of solely taking part in in a single event in 2021.
The PIP is a scheme arrange by the PGA Tour to reward gamers for producing essentially the most constructive curiosity through the 12 months.
Woods completed above Phil Mickelson to win the $8 million high prize, whereas Mickelson gained $6 million.
And Woods made certain to tease Mickelson concerning the end result afterwards, posting a screenshot of a tweet from the 51-year-old from December which claimed he had gained the award with the caption: “Whoops.”
Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas every acquired $3.5 million whereas Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Bubba Watson acquired $3 million every.
The inaugural PIP was measured from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 and was measured underneath 5 standards.
These embrace web searches, earned media – variety of distinctive information articles that embrace a participant’s title – social media, TV sponsor publicity and consciousness, which is described as “a participant’s common consciousness rating amongst broad U.S. inhabitants.”
The PGA Tour stated unbiased auditor Grant Thornton licensed the outcomes, whereas additionally saying that for 2022, the full prize fund will improve by $10 million to $50 million.
Since turning skilled in 1996, Woods has been one of many greatest names in golf.
However given he’s been predominately away from motion for over a 12 months, it’s maybe a shock he’s completed high of the standings.
Woods suffered severe leg accidents in a February 2021 automotive crash in Los Angeles.
The 15-time main winner has been via rehabilitation in an try and get again on the golf course, saying that amputation was “on the desk” following the crash.
And he admitted final month that his restoration has left him feeling “annoyed.”
Woods’ solely look in aggressive golf because the crash was in December 2021 alongside son Charlie on the PNC Championship on the Ritz-Carlton Golf Membership Orlando, Grande Lakes in Florida, with followers tuning in to see {the golfing} legend as soon as once more take to the course.
In line with NBC Sports activities, the PNC Championship noticed a complete viewers of two.3 million viewers, up 53% from 2020’s version.
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And though taking to the course together with his son gave him hope for the long run, he additionally believes that he gained’t ever be capable of play a full tour schedule.
“That may by no means occur once more,” he stated. “I can play sure occasions right here and there, however on a full-time stage, no, that can by no means occur once more.”
Woods completed forward of his long-time rival Mickelson, who shocked the golf world final 12 months when he grew to become the oldest participant to win a significant on the age of fifty.
