The Tour Championship: A New Chapter with a Juicy Prize
OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Tour Championship redefines its appeal by becoming the individual tournament with the largest prize fund in the world of golf. The PGA Tour has made the decision that the FedEx Cup payout will count as official money for the first time, heightening the excitement and competitiveness of the event. The total prize pool amounts to an impressive $40 million, with $10 million reserved for the winner. This change marks a significant milestone, especially considering that since the start of the FedEx Cup in 2007, the bonus pool at the end of the Tour Championship was considered unofficial money, with a deferred portion. In 2019, when the postseason was reduced from four to three tournaments, the prize money at the Tour Championship was eliminated and, instead, the FedEx Cup bonus pool was increased. A crucial aspect of this change is the elimination of “starting strokes.” Previously, the number 1 seed began with 10 under par and a two-stroke lead over the number 2 seed. Now, the top 30 players who reach the Tour Championship will start from scratch, as in a normal tournament. A PGA Tour spokesperson confirmed that the $40 million bonus pool will now be counted as official money at East Lake. Another significant change is the distribution of the $25 million allocated for victory in the FedEx Cup. Scottie Scheffler received $10 million for leading the FedEx Cup in the regular season and will get $5 million for being the number 1 seed after this week’s BMW Championship. However, this is still part of the bonus pool and will not be considered official money. With the new structure, the player with the lowest score who wins the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup will take home the $40 million allocated to the top 30 players, with $10 million for the winner. Scheffler leads the money list with $20,362,883. Masters champion Rory McIlroy ($16,156,418), and US Open champion J.J. Spaun ($12,302,222), now have the mathematical possibility of surpassing Scheffler if they win at East Lake. The second-place finisher at East Lake will receive $5 million in official money, while third place will get $3,705,000. Last place will take home $355,000. The last time East Lake had an official prize was in 2018, with $9 million, and Tiger Woods won $1.62 million. Justin Rose won the FedEx Cup without winning a postseason event and received a bonus of $10 million.Patrick Cantlay, among other players, applauded the change, arguing that winning the Tour Championship, even if a player is in 30th place, is still an achievement worthy of the FedEx Cup champion title.I think at this point, if you’ve played a whole year and you get to the Tour Championship with the players who have played, the top 30 who have played the best all year, and you beat them that week with everything on the line, that’s a great accomplishment.
Patrick Cantlay
