By Evin Priest
Tiger Woods and LIV Golf were Google’s most searched golf topics in the United States in 2022, according to data provided by the search engine to Golf Digest.
The most searched golf topics on Google can be broken down into categories: golfer, golf terms, and golf questions. To achieve a top-10 ranking in each, Google ranked searches based on its search engine trending data, analyzing “search interest” for topics using a sample of all searches, then indexing topics against the first item in each listing. Google did not provide raw figures for the year regarding search volume.
Woods, despite only playing three official tournaments this year as he continued to recover from his car accident in February 2021, was No. 1 among the most searched golfers on Google. That shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the frenzy the 15-time major winner created as he eyed his return to competition at the Masters in April. Woods arrived early at Augusta National and never officially announced whether he was playing, eventually teeing off in Thursday’s first round and posting an impressive 71, then carded a 74 on Friday to qualify. He would finish 47th.
Woods also managed to qualify in his next start, the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in May, only to have to withdraw after the third round due to discomfort in his right foot. He did not compete in the US Open in June but played in the 150th Open at St Andrews in July. Before missing the cut, Woods waved to the crowd walking across the iconic Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole of the Old Course, acknowledging it was likely the last time he would play the St Andrews Open as a competitive tour player.
Woods’ old rival Phil Mickelson came in second in the golf category. Lefty only generated 25% of Woods’ searches, despite a year surrounded by controversy. In February, Mickelson spoke out against the PGA Tour for its “abhorrent greed.” Mickelson took time off from competitive golf and disappeared until June, when he finally joined LIV Golf and competed in the inaugural event in London. In September, Mickelson made headlines when he said the PGA Tour was in a “downward trend” as he viewed LIV Golf as becoming more powerful.
Coming in third was Rory McIlroy, who won three PGA Tour events, including the season-ending Tour Championship and with it the FedEx Cup title. Additionally, McIlroy won the DP World Tour points title throughout the season and finished in the top 10 in all four major tournaments. He shared the lead heading into the final round of the 150th Open, finishing third behind Cameron Smith, seventh in Google searches after winning three PGA Tour events, including The Open, before joining LIV Golf in August.
For golf-related terms, LIV Golf topped the list in 2022, while “LIV Golf Rankings” was second. “US Open golf” comes in third, but generates 10% of the search interest compared to LIV Golf.
LIV launched this year with two-time Open Championship winner Greg Norman as managing director. The league began with seven tournaments featuring 54 no-cut holes, 48 players and $25 million in purses. A $50 million tag team final then took place at the Trump Doral in Miami. LIV has signed a host of stars, including world number 3 Smith and other big winners such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.
Top questions searched in 2022 included “What is a scratch golfer?” », “Who is the best golfer of all time? » and “How much do professional golfers make?” as well as research to find the nationality of US Open champions Matt Fitzpatrick (English) and Smith (Australian).
Most frequently asked questions about golf in 2022
1: What is a scratch golfer?
2: Who is the best golfer of all time?
3: How much do professional golfers make?
4: Who is the number one golfer in the world?
5: How to become a professional golfer?
6: What does the average golfer shoot?
7: Where is golfer Cameron Smith from?
8: How far do professional golfers travel?
9: Where is Fitzpatrick the Golfer from?
10: Who won the 2022 Masters?
You might also like:
Get the December 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East for FREE here!
Finally a victory for the DP World Tour player after 19 second places
Tiger clearly limps and fails in Match
Europe hopes Ryder Cup has no cloud LIV Golf
Tiger Woods in a golf ball switch
Will Zalatoris return from injury
Saudi amateur Saud Al Sharif racing at Saudi Open
LIV Golf voted golf business story of the year
2019 Open Champion winner Shane Lowry among latest stars added to Dubai Desert Classic
PGA Tour and DP World Tour announce alliance with Japan Golf Tour
Report: PGA Tour and LPGA plan to turn QBE Shootout into a mixed team event
Al Mouj in Oman added to international series of Asian tour
Brooks and another big winner are the latest LIV players to reach this sad milestone OWGR
PGA Tour and LPGA plan to turn QBE Shootout into mixed team event
Journalists of the Year Countdown – 25 to 23
Scott Vincent wins LIV Golf 2023 ticket
Scottie weighs in on the OWGR situation
Subscribe to the Golf Digest Middle East newsletter
