Golf insider shares his thoughts on Scottie Scheffler losing PIP to Tiger Woods: "He was everywhere!"

Tiger Woods beat Scottie Scheffler to earn the top spot in the PIP rankings for the 2024 season. Golfers are ranked based on how much interest they were able to generate in the PGA Tour that year.

And while the result is surprising, it is not completely shocking as Woods' five competitive appearances last year managed to dominate the most extraordinary season that Scheffler had. The latter won seven Tour titles, Masters green jacket, Players Championship, season-ending Tour Championship, an Olympic gold medal and was also a part of the Presidents Cup winning US team.

Naturally, the US golfer also won the Player of the Year award. He became only the second golfer, after Woods, to win the Jack Nicklaus Award for three consecutive seasons. Notably, Scheffler also welcomed his son Bennett with wife Meredith in May 2024.

In a year punctuated by several highs, Scheffler also hit a low when he was arrested during the PGA Championship. He was charged with felony for second-degree assault on a police officer and misdemeanours of third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. The charges were later dropped.

The 'Fore Play' podcast recently discussed the PIP rankings. One presenter opined that this is proof that Tiger Woods would always be the "needle" as long as he is alive. Another golf insider believed that Scottie Scheffler was more viral than the golf legend in 2024.

"The virality around Scottie had to have surpassed Tiger Woods this year. He was everywhere. He was on CNN for like weeks."

As the PIP rankings topper, Tiger Woods took home $10 million with Scheffler coming second and earning $8 million.

This was the last year of the PIP program; however, the PGA Tour recently introduced the Player Equity Program that will divide $100 million among the top 20 players based on several criteria including some used for PIP.

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Top 10 PIP rankings explored

In Picture: Tiger Woods (Source: Getty)

Rory McIlroy beat Tiger Woods in 2023 to win $15 million. He had to settle for fourth spot this year winning $4.5 million. Jordan Spieth, despite his injury-ridden, underwhelming year placed fifth in the PIP rankings. Xander Schauffele who had a brilliant 2024 season placed fourth.

Here's exploring the top 10 PIP rankings:

• 1. Tiger Woods, $10 million
• 2. Scottie Scheffler, $8 million
• 3. Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
• 4. Xander Schauffele, $4.5 million
• 5. Jordan Spieth, $4.5 million
• 6. Collin Morikawa, $4.5 million
• 7. Shane Lowry, $3.5 million
• 8. Justin Thomas, $3.5 million
• 9. Tommy Fleetwood, $3.5 million
• 10. Wyndham Clark, $3.5 million