Jimmy Buffett wrote a song called “Mailbox Money” — big bucks don’t go through the U.S. mail anymore but talk about a nice year end bonus — Tiger Woods banked $15 million as the top PIP guy (of course) and Rory McIlroy was second ($12 million) — so who else scored that nice year-end social-media bonus from the PGA Tour?
The Top Five:
Tiger ($15 millioni); Rory ($12 million); Jordan Spieth ($9 million); Justin Thomas ($7.5 million); Jon Rahm ($6 million).
Comment: Hey J.T. — it’s good to be buddies with Tiger, isn’t it?
The Second Five:
Scottie Scheffler ($5.5 million); Xander Schauffele ($5 million); Matt Fitzpatrick ($5 million); Will Zalatoris ($5 million); Tony Finau ($5 million).
Comment: Tony Finau should let his kids handle his social media.
The Third Five:
Collin Morikawa ($3 million); Shane Lowry ($3 million); Kevin Kisner ($3 million); Max Homa ($3 million); Billy Horschel ($3 million).
Comment: How the heck did Kevin Kisner score $3 million?
The Fourth Five:
Rickie Fowler ($2 million); Adam Scott ($2 million); Jason Day ($2 million); Patrick Cantlay ($2 million); Viktor Hovland ($2 million).
Honorable Mention:
Hideki Matsuyama ($2 million); Cameron Young ($2 million); Sam Burns ($2 million).
Comment: I guess someone at PGA Tour headquarters felt sorry for these guys.
After perusing this list, we had just one question? Where was Harry Higgs? He’s supposed to be one of the PGA Tour’s big social media stars?
Sorry Harry.
Honda Ends PGA Tour’s Longest-Running Title Sponsorship:
The 2023 Honda Classic will end an era on the PGA Tour as the Japanese automaker won’t renew its sponsorship of the event at PGA National Golf Club after the 2023 event.
The event made its debut on the PGA Tour schedule in 1972 as the Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic. Honda stepped in as the title sponsor in 1983.
The tournament has been played at PGA National since 2007. That year, the Children’s Healthcare Charity became the host organization of the tournament, with Barbara Nicklaus serving as chairperson. The Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation is the primary charitable beneficiary of the tournament.
The tournament has contributed over $60 million to national and local charities, including the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. (A record $6.45 million was raised this year.) The tournament itself likely will continue as the PGA Tour has been pretty effective in signing up new title sponsors.
4 Comments
petertelfer
good for jay to reward members for being good people.
interesting that in a time of increasing inequality in the country, the payout adds to this.
maybe there are other ways of rewarding people who lead by example, and pointing out, in a non-judgemental way, those whose behaviour falls a little short.
Kevin, the tours’ leading expectorator, is rewarded. it could be a learning opportunity for young people to become aware of the associated dangers.
Tom Edrington
The PIP is Player Impact Program; Guys who show well on social media hits; A no-no to your “JT” comment; I’ve heard a bunch of guys use that phrase at themselves, not someone else, when they missed a short putt….
forky76
How did Kevin Kisner make $3 mill? Well it’s pretty much slim pickings outside the top dozen these days after all the LIV departures.
As for Honda, how fast can you say Honda Motors GC captained by Hideki Matsuyama?
Tom Edrington
I don’t get your “Hideki” inference; He’s already turned down a huge LIV offer. I beat you to the Kisnser question.