Friday, May 15, 2026

Rich Golf Weekend Sees PGA Tour, LIV Players Split $53M in Bonuses

PGA Tour and LIV Golf players cashed nearly $53 million of bonuses on Sunday, following the penultimate events of the rival leagues’ respective seasons.

The Indianapolis Star

PGA Tour and LIV Golf players cashed nearly $53 million in bonuses Sunday, following the penultimate events of the rival leagues’ respective seasons.

Leading the way was Jon Rahm, who earned $18 million for winning LIV’s individual season-long championship for the second year in a row. Rahm did not win a single tournament all year, but had four runner-up finishes, and his worst result was a tie for 11th in Dallas. 

Joaquin Niemann, who won five LIV tournaments this year, finished second in the points race, taking home an $8 million bonus. However, Niemann beat Rahm on the money list, cashing $22.22 million from LIV tournament winnings alone, with Rahm earning $13.6 million. 

Bryson DeChambeau finished the LIV season in third place in points, good for a $4 million bonus.

LIV’s event in Indianapolis over the weekend wrapped up the individual portion of the season. This coming weekend’s event in Detroit will crown a team champion.

PGA Tour Payouts

The PGA Tour awarded another $22.93 million of FedExCup bonus money following Sunday’s BMW Championship, as part of a restructured distribution model for the season-long competition. This comes after the top 10 PGA Tour players at the end of the regular season earned a collective $60 million in bonus money.

The top five players in the FedExCup standings through Sunday’s penultimate playoff event all cashed seven-figure checks:

  • 1st: Scottie Scheffler, $5 million
  • 2nd: Rory McIlroy, $3.5 million
  • 3rd: J.J. Spaun, $2.6 million
  • 4th: Justin Rose, $1.8 million
  • 5th: Tommy Fleetwood, $1.45 million

All 30 players who advanced to the Tour Championship earned bonuses ranging from $900,000 for 6th place to $195,000 for 30th. This week’s playoff finale at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta will crown the 2025 FedExCup champion, offering a $40 million purse that will count as official money, not bonus money, for players in yet another change to the PGA Tour’s postseason.

Scheffler Surging

Scheffler won the BMW Championship on Sunday, his fifth victory of the year, taking his official tournament winnings on the season to $23.96 million, and his career earnings (not including bonus money) to $95.75 million, which is now within striking distance of Phil Mickelson ($96.72 million), who is third all-time on the PGA Tour money list. 

Scheffler can pass Mickelson at the Tour Championship if he finishes solo 8th or better. A two-way tie for second place, or higher, would vault Scheffler past the $100 million mark.
Additionally, Scheffler has won $23 million in bonus money this season.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium.

The Haves and Have-Nots of the 2026–27 NFL Schedule

Five teams have no primetime appearances scheduled in 2026.
May 14, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Emiliano Grillo plays his shot on the tenth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

Can CBS Regain Its Golf Mojo After Masters Disaster?

All eyes will be on CBS following its issues in Augusta.
Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against Denver Broncos linebacker Karene Reid (47) during the second quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High.

NFL Schedule Leans Further Into Holidays, Streaming Expansion

The upcoming slate features several notable changes from 2025.

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).

Featured Today

Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 14, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Scottie Scheffler walks past fans to the seventh tee during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club.

After PGA Championship, Pennsylvania Targets PGA Tour Stop

“We invest $2.5 million in it, but this event alone is expected to generate $125 million.”
Feb 5, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks to media members at the Santa Clara Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026

NFL Staying Hands-Off Schedule Videos as Vrabel Jokes Loom

The league isn’t reviewing teams’ schedule release videos in advance.
Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
opinion
May 14, 2026

Why the NBA Should Hire Daryl Morey to Be Its Theo Epstein

The 76ers fired Morey earlier this week.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
May 14, 2026

Silver Says He Could Further Punish Tanking Teams in New Lottery

“We can actually take away draft lottery balls.”
PGA Championship
May 13, 2026

Food Is Free at PGA Championship, but a Beer Starts at $15

The Championship+ all-inclusive ticket program debuted in 2021.
opinion
May 13, 2026

NFL Should Release Audio on Crucial Replay Decisions

The ACC let viewers in the replay booth last fall.
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Mark Geddes plays a shot the eighteenth hole during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club.
May 13, 2026

The PGA Championship’s Prize-Money Balancing Act

Last year’s prize money was $19 million, up $500,000 from 2024.