Rory McIlroy Earns $10 Million Bonus Without Competing at Wyndham

Rory McIlroy significantly increased his wealth this past weekend, securing a remarkable $10 million bonus without playing a single round of golf. As newcomer Cameron Young celebrated his victory at the Wyndham Championship, which marked the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, McIlroy was recognized for his impressive performance throughout the year, finishing second in the FedEx Cup rankings.

Cameron Young claimed the championship, but it was Scottie Scheffler who topped the FedEx Cup points list, earning an astounding $18 million. This amount includes $8 million for finishing first in the rankings. The changes to the PGA Tour’s bonus structure have proven beneficial for McIlroy and Scheffler, both of whom had already qualified for the post-season and chose not to participate in the final regular-season event.

PGA Tour Changes Bonus Distribution Structure

Traditionally, the PGA Tour awarded its $100 million bonus based on players’ outcomes in the final event of the post-season held at East Lake. This year, however, the Tour adopted a new format, eliminating the starting strokes system in favor of a straightforward 72-hole competition where all players begin at level par. As a result, bonuses are now disbursed at scheduled intervals throughout the season.

This revised approach has garnered mixed reactions. While McIlroy and Scheffler have benefited greatly, the previous format faced criticism from fans and players alike. Scheffler himself referred to it as “silly” last year, indicating a desire for change.

With their strong standings, both McIlroy and Scheffler opted to bypass the Wyndham Championship. Looking ahead, McIlroy may also consider skipping the first post-season event at TPC Southwind, as he aims to conserve energy for the Tour Championship, set to take place from August 21-24.

As the PGA Tour continues to evolve, players like McIlroy and Scheffler remain at the forefront, reaping the rewards of their consistent performances and strategic decisions.