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Reuters

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Reuters

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have been at each other’s throats ever since LIV Golf was incorporated early this year. The PGA Tour has seen many players leave to join their fast-growing competitor, LIV Golf. Among these are stars like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau and Bubba Watson.

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The eight-time PGA Tour victor opened up to ESPN in Miami yesterday about being frustrated with the PGA Tour. He said, “It’s consistently frustration after frustration of them not handling things correctly.” Bryson claimed that the PGA Tour owed him 1.75 million USD as part of a bonus he was due as per its Player Impact Program and that they were refusing to do so.

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What is the Player Impact Program?

The PIP (Player Impact Program) was first introduced in January 2021. The program aimed to compensate the players who generated the most positive interest on the PGA Tour in the previous year. The PGA Tour graded the players based on things like social media and television exposure.

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Read More – WATCH: LIV Superstar Bryson DeChambeau Hits His 6 Iron 350 Yards in Unbelievable Effort

In 2021, the PGA Tour awarded a total of $40 million to the PIP standings leaders. The pool is now 50 million USD for 2022. Tiger Woods beat the others out in 2021 to win $8 million. Bryson DeChambeau finished fifth and was due 3.5 million USD.

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On August 28, 2022, LIV Golf and 11 other players sued the PGA Tour, saying that it was using its monopoly power to keep other players from competing. The players also said that the PGA Tour stopped many companies, including TV networks, from working with LIV Golf.

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USA Today via Reuters

Bryson DeChambeau remains a plaintiff in the case currently, considering the PGA Tour still owes him half of his promised bonus. “It’s really been frustrating over the last six years that I’ve had to deal with [the PGA Tour],” DeChambeau said. The 2020 US Open winner went on to explain that to receive the second half of the bonus, the players had to fulfil two criteria. The first was to play in a PGA Tour event he hadn’t competed in during the previous four seasons. And the second, to make an appearance at a charity event.

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Bryson DeChambeau vs. The PGA Tour

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While DeChambeau completed the first and played in the Valero Texas Open. But when he tried to fulfil the next one by appearing at a charity event for First Tee in Dallas, the tour refused to count that as his appearance since he was no longer a PGA Tour member, “in good standing”.

“They said because you’re not in good standing, we’re not allowing you to do something to help out junior golf and junior golfers.” Bryson said with irritation, “To me, that’s childish. It just shows where they stand emotionally. “

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Reuters

For Bryson, the entire matter isn’t about the money. He said, “It’s not about the money; it’s about the principle.” He has taken a stand based on his principles and is part of the lawsuit. “I respect and understand it, but when you’ve completed something and provided entertainment for them last year, that’s the reason I’m in the lawsuit.”

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Watch This Story – When Tiger Woods Was Left Stunned by the Smartness of Bryson DeChambeau

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The major championship winner has already taken his stand. The last time the fans saw him this determined, he went on to win a Major by six strokes. Will his resolve pay off this time as well? We will find out soon enough.

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Written by

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Sheldon Pereira

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Sheldon Pereira is the Newsletter Lead Editor for Essentially Golf, EssentiallySports’ premium vertical dedicated to the game.

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Edited by

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Manaal Siddiqui

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