The 2026 BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis concluded with a thrilling final round, crowning Wyndham Clark as the champion. Clark’s victory marked his third PGA Tour win of the season and sixth of his career, solidifying his position as a top contender for Player of the Year honors.
The event, part of the FedEx Cup playoffs, featured a $20 million purse and saw the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings compete for a share of the substantial prize money. Clark’s triumph came just a week after his victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, demonstrating his consistent dominance in the sport.
Clark’s Path to Victory
Clark’s journey to the top of the leaderboard was marked by a combination of skill and strategy. He finished the tournament with a score of 17-under 263, shooting an even-par 70 in the final round. His performance was highlighted by a three-shot lead over Patrick Cantlay who finished in second place with a score of 14-under 266.
Rory McIlroy who made a strong charge in the final round, finished in third place with a score of 13-under 267. McIlroy’s performance was notable for his valiant effort, which included a crucial bogey on the par-5 17th hole that ultimately cost him a chance at the top spot.
Prize Money Breakdown
The 2026 BMW Championship featured a $20 million purse, with the winner taking home $3.6 million. The top 40 players all earned at least a six-figure payday, while everyone in the field was guaranteed at least $66,000. The prize money distribution was as follows:
- 1st: $3,600,000 – Wyndham Clark
- 2nd: $2,160,000 – Patrick Cantlay
- 3rd: $1,360,000 – Rory McIlroy
- 4th: $990,000 – Gary Woodland, Collin Morikawa, Chris Gotterup ($857,000 each)
- 5th: $830,000
- 6th: $750,000
- 7th: $695,000 – Robert MacIntyre, Maverick McNealy ($667,500 each)
- 8th: $640,000
- 9th: $600,000 – Jacob Bridgeman
- 10th: $560,000 – Michael Brennan, Sungjae Im ($540,000 each)
The prize money distribution continued down to the 50th place, with each player earning a share of the substantial purse based on their final standings.
FedEx Cup Standings and Bonus Money
In addition to the prize money from the BMW Championship, players were also competing for their share of the massive FedExCup bonus money. The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings divvied up nearly $100 million in bonus money, with Scottie Scheffler securing the lion’s share.
Scheffler, who had already locked in the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings, earned a total of $23 million in bonus money, including $22 million up front and $1 million deferred. The PGA Tour’s restructured FEC bonus system included points carrying over from the regular season and first playoff event, with Scheffler leading through the Wyndham Championship and dominating at St. Jude.
The points reset for the playoff finale, the Tour Championship, where the winner will be crowned FedExCup champion and earn $10 million from an official $40 million purse. The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings each earned from $195,000 to $100,000 in bonus money, with the exact amount depending on their final position.
The 2026 PGA Tour season concludes next week with the Tour Championship in Georgia, where the final FedExCup champion will be crowned. With the season’s final event on the horizon, the competition is heating up as players vie for the top spot and the substantial prize money that comes with it.
