Top 10 Most Viral Golf Stories of 2022

Tiger Woods has been moving the proverbial needle for decades when it comes to interest among golf fans.

In 2022, add the new and controversial nature of LIV Golf to the list.

We went through our most viral stories of the year, and the two topics cover the entire top 10.

Here’s a look back at the stories that got the most likes, comments, and shares on social media.

• Tiger Woods Welcomed by the Faithful at Augusta, Makes the Cut at the Masters

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

Tiger Woods’ first day at Augusta was a 1-under 71 followed by a 2-over 74 on Friday, allowing him to make the cut in his first tournament since suffering severe leg injuries in a February 2021 car crash.

• Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay Shoot Down LIV Golf Rumors for 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

After LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said that the series was looking to add seven new pros for 2023, the rumor mill zeroed in on Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. The duo, however, shot those rumors down.

• Rory McIlroy Urges PGA Tour and LIV Golf to Work Together

⛳️🚨Rory McIlroy on #LIVGolf and the #PGATour discussing a compromise:

“I believe there is no more time to waste, PGA Tour and LIV will have to find a compromise and speak for the sake of our sport.”

Time to answer the calls Jay, figure this thing out.

— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) November 5, 2022

After leading the charge against the new series, FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy said that it would be in the best interest of the game of golf for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman to come to some sort of agreement to co-exist.

• Zach Johnson Says LIV Golf Pros Shouldn’t Be Allowed in the Ryder Cup

Zach Johnson, 2023 Ryder Cup captain of the U.S. team, said that LIV Golf pros should not be eligible for the bi-annual tournament. Since the event is a joint production of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, it appears as if LIV defectors will not be in the 2023 event.

• Tiger Woods Playing at Pebble Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Eric B. (@hozel_rocket)

Any time Woods hit a course, it was big news, and his appearance at Pebble Beach was no exception given that he hadn’t been seen on a golf course since the second round of the Open Championship in July.

• Charlie Woods’ Golf Swing Goes Viral

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

In advance of the father-son PNC Championship, videos emerged of 13-year-old Charlie Woods’ swing, and the world couldn’t get enough of this video.

• Tiger Woods Lands in Ireland to Make Final Preparations for the Open Championship

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by DP World Tour (@dpworldtour)

More following of Tiger Woods’ every move, as he landed in Ireland to get ready for the 150^th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

• Phil Mickelson Becomes the Highest-Paid Athlete in 2022

The World’s Highest-Paid Golfers 2022: LIV Golf Reshuffles Top Earners And Sends Pay Soaring https://t.co/OGH6CGt6YP by @JustBirny pic.twitter.com/7gUFKYwV2i

— Forbes (@Forbes) July 29, 2022

According to Forbes, Phil Mickelson’s signing bonus with LIV Golf moved his earnings in 2022 to $138 million, passing Lionel Messi as the highest-paid athlete. Not bad at all, especially since Lefty missed the cut at the U.S. Open and Open Championship and wasn’t a factor in any of the eight LIV Golf events he played in this year. Messi, meanwhile, helped lead his Argentina team to a FIFA World Cup championship earlier this month.

• Jack Nicklaus Writes Tiger Woods a Heartfelt Letter Before Masters Return

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus)

Jack Nicklaus—the only golfer with more major wins (18) than Tiger Woods’ 14—wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram prior to Woods return to competitive golf at Augusta this past April.

• Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson File Entries for the U.S. Open

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by TWSPOT (@twspot)

Right after his Masters weekend, Tiger Woods filed an entry to play in June’s U.S. Open (which he ended up skipping after having to withdraw from the PGA Championship in May). Additionally, Phil Mickelson filed an entry to play at Brookline after skipping the Masters and PGA Championship. Mickelson did end up playing in the event but missed the cut after shooting a 78 and 73 in the first two rounds.