⛳ Top 10 PGA Tour Players Earn $220m

Good morning. By now, you've probably polished off most of your leftover Thanksgiving food and spent some cash on a bunch of heavily discounted goodies during Black Friday sales.

Which means it’s time to look ahead at the remaining golf season!

Not much happened in Golf last week, but for the first time since April 8, when he appeared uncomfortable during a cold, rainy day at the Masters, Tiger Woods is set to return to competition this week at the Hero World Challenge.

More on that, the top 10 PGA Tour players earnings, PGA Tour players risking penalties for joining LIV Golf, remaining golf events in 2023 and more, in today’s edition of Golf Reporter.

ALBATROS
PGA Tour Players Risk Penalties for Joining LIV Golf Event

LIV Golf sent out a media release announcing the Dec. 8-10 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26, four days after the conclusion of its 2023 season in Miami. It is unclear if players had been prompted to enter prior to that date, but it was 48 days in advance of the event, meaning players had to request a release quickly to fall within the PGA Tour rules.

Although names have yet to be released, there were in the neighborhood of 10 players entered with some PGA Tour status or who have played Tour. It is possible some will now drop out as they face the possibility of a fine and or a suspension if they elect to compete without getting the release.

EAGLE
Top 10 PGA Tour Players Earn $220m in Total Winnings

Taking into account PGA Tour earnings across the regular season, the FedEx Cup playoffs and also the recent Player Impact Program (PIP) bonuses then it was a good year for golf's elite.

Viktor Hovland banked the most money overall thanks to his $18m victory at the FedEx Cup taking his total earnings to $37.1m.

Rory McIlroy came in second after winning the top prize of $15m in the PIP bonus to swell his coffers to $32.9m, while Scottie Scheffler came third overall with $29m thanks to topping the money list during the regular PGA Tour campaign.

Jon Rahm's relatively poor display in the FedEx Cup, by his standards, saw him finish in fourth with a still eye-watering $26.2m in total earnings, with then a big drop-off to Xander Schauffele's $18m.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

• After last week's split from longtime analyst Paul Azinger, NBC Golf will try out a new analyst at the Hero World Challenge.

• A decision on the proposed rollback of the golf ball is due by the end of the year—and it might not just be for elite players as part of a Model Local Rule originally put forth by the United States Golf Association and the R&A.

• LIV unveils 2024 schedule with 12 events in eight nations - to feature at least half its events outside US.

• Tiger Woods Is back this week, and there will be much to see and hear.

BIRDIE
Remaining Pro Golf Events in 2023

The 2023 calendar is winding down with just about five weeks left before 2024 arrives.

The big-ticket professional golf tour events have all come and gone, but there is still plenty of pro golf for fans to watch before the new year is here.

There are two Q schools and a promotion event where the stakes are high for those clinging to their professional golf aspirations.

Hero World Challenge

Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 3
Golf course: Albany
Location: New Providence, Bahamas
Defending champ: Viktor Hovland

LPGA Q Series

Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 5
Golf course: Magnolia Grove Golf Course (Falls and Crossings courses)
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Grant Thornton Invitational

Dates: Dec. 8 – 10
Golf course: Tiburon Golf Club
Location: Naples, Florida
Format: Scramble, foursomes, then modified best ball.

Read about the rest of the tournaments here.

DRIVING RANGE
3 Golf Shots that will Lower Your Scores Around the Green

In this short game lesson Danny Maude teaches you 3 different short game shots that will help you lower your scores on the golf course.

You will learn to play the chip and run, lob it over a bunker and the one that everyone loves how to get backspin on your chip shots.

To make chipping and pitching easy you need to be aware that the short game technique is slightly different for all 3 golf shots. Danny covers all the details in todays golf lesson

PAR FOR THE COURSE
This Day In History

On November 27, 1966, at the LPGA Titleholders Championship Women’s Golf, Augusta CC: Kathy Whitworth won back-to-back titles by 2 shots from Judy Kimball and Mary Mills.

And, Tiger Woods was named PGA Tour’s Player of the Year for the 11th time.