The Player Impact Program results announced by the PGA Tour for 2021 are not yet official – although Phil Mickelson was declared the winner in December – there is already an outpouring of support for changing the way the PGA Tour rewards its players. more influential.

Collin Morikawa thinks PIP money could be allocated differently

© Collin Morikawa via Twitter

"It's about inspiring our players to engage with our game, help grow our tour and grow their respective brands"said circuit commissioner Jay Monahan last year when asked about the PIP.

While most players agree with the concept, many believe that the index used to recognize and reward last year's $40 million in bonuses needs to be redesigned.

“It's a good thing and it's a bad thing because, do guys deserve more? Do the guys who really made things happen, who produced what we did for the game, deserve more? Yes ", said Collin Morikawa, the second player in the world who would have finished 11th on last year's PIP list. “What is the jackpot this year, $50 million? I mean, it's crazy to me. $50 million for the top 10 players that can impact this game. I think there are probably better roads, other things. »

The PIP uses a score compiled from five criteria – Nielsen Ratings, Google Searches, MVP Index, Meltwater Mentions and Q-Rating – based on a player's attractiveness and popularity on social media .

One of the most common criticisms of the PIP is its lack of transparency. The Tour has not released the top 10 players on last year's list, and there remains uncertainty over how the list was compiled - and whether the $40 million bounty (increased to $50 million) dollars this year), plus an additional $10 million per player to encourage pros to play 15 events, could be spent more wisely.

“I don't think that's the best use of $60 million, but I don't have an answer for that”, said Collin Morikawa. “I really don't know any other way to do it, but there must be something. Paying that amount is pretty crazy. »

Patrick Cantlay went a little further: “ I think I'm old school in that I think the money should be distributed based on the game.", said Cantlay, "and I don't like this beginning".

To read our last article on the same subject :

Collin Morikawa present in Abu Dhabi