Why Scottie Scheffler will win $8 million without playing this week
Scottie Scheffler, the renowned golfer who recently achieved Olympic glory in Paris, is set to earn a substantial reward without stepping foot on the green this week. Despite the Wyndham Championship being a critical event for players vying to enter the PGA Tour’s postseason, Scheffler, who is not competing this week, has already secured a significant financial victory.
Scheffler’s impressive performance throughout the PGA Tour season has earned him this substantial reward. He has been a standout competitor, amassing a total of six official tour wins this season. His notable achievements include winning the Masters Tournament for the second time and becoming the first golfer to successfully defend his title at The Players Championship. In addition to these prestigious wins, Scheffler claimed victory at four other significant tournaments: the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Memorial Tournament, and the Travelers Championship. Each of these victories took place in high-profile events that awarded a larger number of FedEx Cup points compared to regular tournaments.
Scheffler’s dominance in the FedEx Cup standings has been nothing short of extraordinary. His exceptional performance throughout the season has resulted in him accumulating a total of 5,993 points. This impressive tally places him nearly 2,000 points ahead of Xander Schauffele, who is his closest competitor, and approximately 3,500 points clear of Rory McIlroy, who is in third place. Given this commanding lead, Scheffler has effectively clinched the top position in the Comcast Top 10 standings, regardless of the outcomes at the Wyndham Championship.
The Comcast Top 10 award, introduced for the 2018-19 season, is given to the golfer who accumulates the most points during the regular season. Scheffler’s exceptional performance this year means he will receive a substantial $8 million prize. This is a repeat achievement for Scheffler, who previously won the Comcast Top 10 award in 2022 and finished second to Jon Rahm in the following season.
Scheffler’s earnings for the year now surpass $36 million, a testament to his remarkable consistency and skill. However, his potential to increase his earnings doesn’t end here. The PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, consisting of three events, feature substantial purses. The first two playoff events each offer a purse of $20 million, while the Tour Championship boasts an impressive $100 million purse, with $25 million allocated to the winner alone. This presents Scheffler with additional opportunities to enhance his earnings further.
In addition to his tournament winnings and the Comcast Top 10 prize, Scheffler is likely to top the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program rankings, which could add another $10 million to his earnings. Last year, Scheffler set a new record for the most earnings in a single season, accumulating an impressive $21 million. This year’s earnings, combined with potential future winnings, could significantly surpass that record.
Alongside Scheffler, other notable players in the top 10 FedEx Cup standings include Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Åberg, Sahith Theegala, Hideki Matsuyama, Sungjae Im, and Shane Lowry. Both Im and Lowry are participating in the Wyndham Championship, and a strong performance from players like Akshay Bhatia (currently ranked No. 15), Robert MacIntyre (No. 17), Brian Harman (No. 21), and Christiaan Bezuidenhout (No. 22) could potentially alter the standings.
In summary, Scottie Scheffler’s exceptional performance throughout the PGA Tour season has ensured his substantial financial reward, even as the Wyndham Championship unfolds. With significant earnings already secured and further opportunities for additional prizes in the playoffs, Scheffler’s impressive season continues to set new benchmarks in the world of professional golf.
