Rory McIlroy beats Tiger Woods to £12m PGA Tour bonus for first time in career
Tiger Woods has been the most popular golfer in the sport for the past two years, according to the PIP findings, and after a strong year, Rory McIlroy has taken the top spot for the first time.
For the first time, Rory McIlroy has defeated Tiger Woods to win the PGA Tour’s 2023 Player Impact Program.
Since the award’s inception two years ago, Woods has won it twice, with the largest social media following and the reputation of being the sport’s most popular star.
However, the 34-year-old Northern Irishman has since overtaken Woods and won the prize, taking home an additional $15 million (£11.97 million) for having the “biggest positive impact on the Tour’s business”.
After finishing in second place the previous year, McIlroy has now taken the lead this year, followed by Woods in second and Jon Rahm in third following the Spaniard’s victory at the Masters.
Despite having a fantastic year on the golf course, McIlroy was unable to complete a Grand Slam, and he will soon enter his tenth year without a major trophy since winning the PGA Championship in 2014.
The superstar has acknowledged that his “mental struggles” are the biggest thing preventing him from completing a Grand Slam.
“I would say that the majority are mental or emotional struggles rather than physical struggles,” he said. I’ve always believed that I am physically capable of winning this competition.
However, it takes a certain mental state to allow such physical prowess to be seen.
It’s almost like I have everything I need to make the pie. All that needs to be done is add all those ingredients, preheat the oven to the proper temperature, and watch as everything comes together. However, I am aware that I have all I need. All that needs to be done is put everything together.
Former agent Andrew “Chubby” Chandler cautioned McIlroy earlier this year that his “mental block” at Augusta National, the only major tournament he hasn’t won yet, may prevent him from ever winning the career Grand Slam.
“If you were a betting man, you would probably bet against him winning [the career Grand Slam],” Chandler said to iNews. In his mind, winning the Grand Slam has become more important than it truly is. Although he isn’t really motivated by wins or championships in and of themselves, he does appear to be motivated by the desire to complete the Grand Slam.
It’s a major mental hurdle that is becoming more difficult to overcome. He feels pressure from others as well as from within each time he arrives.”
Woods, meanwhile, announced that he will be returning to the game and will play in the Hero World Challenge this year.
The 47-year-old American icon will next hit the green at the PNC Championship in December, where he will team up with his son Charlie once more.
