For months on end, amid endless controversy and sniping and a good bit of animosity, the major focal point in golf centered around cold, hard cash.

Sure, Tiger Woods returned improbably at the Masters, won perhaps more improbably by Scottie Scheffler, capping a torrid stretch.

Justin Thomas overcame a big final-round deficit to win the PGA Championship in a playoff and Matt Fitzpatrick hit one of the all-time fairway bunker shots to seal the U.S. Open.

Cam Smith shot a final-round 64 to hoist the Claret Jug and win the British Open at St. Andrews.

Those stories can never be beat.

But money has triumphed over all this year, with LIV Golf dominating tournament play, big-name players defecting from the PGA Tour to sign lucrative guaranteed contracts that go beyond anyone’s dreams—with the right to then play for huge purses, all expenses paid.

It’s been a tumultuous time for the game, no matter what you think of LIV Golf, which exists because of, well, the money. Such an entity never takes hold if there were not some level of discontent among those grinding on the PGA Tour, a fact made clear months ago by Phil Mickelson, who became one of the biggest names to take the leap.

For Rory McIlroy, it was never seemingly about the riches. Sure, he wants to be paid just like the next guy, but McIlroy has already made a fortune in the game, and he’s made it a point to take the lead and stand up for the PGA Tour.

His victory Sunday at the Tour Championship—which meant a third FedEx Cup title and an end to the 2021-22 season—was immensely satisfying for reasons that go beyond the $18 million bonus he received.

“Everyone on Tour has had to deal with a lot,’’ McIlroy said. “Even the guys that have went to LIV have had to deal with a lot. It’s just been a very tumultuous sort of era in our game.

“I said it in the prize ceremony, this is the best place in the world to play golf. It’s the most competitive. It’s got the best players. It’s got the deepest fields. I don’t know why you’d want to play anywhere else.’’

There’s been no better advocate for the PGA Tour during these difficult times. Woods took a leadership role a few weeks ago in calling for and attending a players-only meeting in Delaware. McIlroy was part of that, too, while also trying to maintain his own game.

On the eve of the Tour Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced significant changes that will be implemented next year. Among them—a lot more money. See, it’s everywhere. And the PGA Tour has had to dig deep, coming up with nearly $200 million or so to enhance the lives of many who are already wealthy beyond belief.