Scottie Scheffler delivered a dominant performance at TPC Southwind to win the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship and claim the biggest share of the tournament’s $20 million prize purse.
The world No. 1 entered the final round with a two-shot lead and eventually turned the contest into a runaway victory, closing with a four-under 66 to finish at 17-under par. Scheffler finished an astonishing eight shots clear of runner-up Si Woo Kim, securing his second PGA Tour victory of the 2026 season and the 21st of his career. (Golfmagic)
For his commanding performance, Scheffler collected $3.6 million, the largest individual payout available at the first event of this year’s FedExCup Playoffs.
The tournament featured 69 players after Daniel Berger withdrew before the event because of injury. With a $20 million purse available, every eligible golfer who completed the tournament received a share based on their finishing position. ()
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER — $3.6 MILLION
Scheffler was the clear winner in both performance and prize money.
The American carded rounds of 67, 67, 67 and 66 to finish 17 under par. His eight-shot margin was one of the most emphatic victories of the season.
His $3.6 million winner’s cheque represents 18 percent of the tournament’s total $20 million purse.
More importantly, the victory also strengthens Scheffler’s position at the top of the FedExCup standings heading into the BMW Championship. (Golfmagic)
SI WOO KIM — $2.16 MILLION
Si Woo Kim finished alone in second place at nine under par.
Although he could not match Scheffler’s extraordinary final-round performance, Kim secured a massive payday of $2.16 million for his runner-up finish.
His second-place result also gives him a valuable boost as the FedExCup Playoffs move to the BMW Championship.
THE REST OF THE TOP FINISHERS
The players behind Scheffler and Kim also took home substantial amounts.
A strong finish inside the top 10 was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, while even players who finished near the bottom of the field earned significant sums from the $20 million purse.
The prize-money distribution included:
| Position | Golfer | Prize money |
| 1st | Scottie Scheffler | $3,600,000 |
| 2nd | Si Woo Kim | $2,160,000 |
| 3rd | Player | $1,380,000 |
| 4th | Player | $960,000 |
| 5th | Player | $800,000 |
| 6th | Player | $720,000 |
| 7th | Player | $670,000 |
| 8th | Player | $620,000 |
| 9th | Player | $580,000 |
| 10th | Player | $540,000 |
The exact payout for each position is determined by the PGA Tour’s distribution of the $20 million purse.
RORY MCILROY’S DISAPPOINTING WEEK
One of the biggest names to struggle in Memphis was Rory McIlroy.
The three-time FedExCup champion endured a difficult week and finished 66th, shooting eight over par. He carded rounds of 74, 70, 72 and 72 and never broke 70 during the tournament. (Golfmagic)
Despite his disappointing finish, McIlroy remains safely positioned for the next stage of the playoffs. However, his performance was a major contrast to Scheffler’s dominant display.
McIlroy’s poor result also meant a significantly smaller payday compared with the players at the top of the leaderboard.
A HUGE PAYDAY FOR SCHEFFLER
Scheffler’s $3.6 million payday adds another major financial reward to what has already been an impressive season.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is only the first of three playoff events. The BMW Championship will also feature a $20 million purse, with another $3.6 million available to the winner. The season will then conclude at the TOUR Championship, where the top 30 players will compete for a $40 million purse and the FedExCup champion will receive $10 million.
That means the financial stakes will continue to rise as the playoffs progress.
For Scheffler, however, the opening event could hardly have gone better.
He arrived as the FedExCup standings leader and left Memphis with another victory, another $3.6 million and an even stronger position heading into the BMW Championship.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY
The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship once again demonstrated just how lucrative the FedExCup Playoffs can be.
Scheffler walked away with $3.6 million, Kim earned $2.16 million, and the rest of the field shared the remaining $14.24 million from the $20 million purse.
But beyond the money, Scheffler’s victory could prove even more valuable in the race for the FedExCup.
With two playoff events still to come, the world’s No. 1 player has sent a clear message to the rest of the field: if anyone wants to stop him from adding another FedExCup title to his résumé, they will have to find a way to beat him first.
