PGA Tour Championship boosts rewards, offering the most lucrative payout in golf history with a staggering $40 million purse.

Tour Championship Embraces New Format in 2025

Starting in 2025, the Tour Championship will see a significant change in its format, moving away from the staggered leaderboard and "starting strokes" system that was introduced in 2019. Instead, all 30 players will begin the tournament at even par, competing in a traditional 72-hole stroke play event [1][3][4].

In the previous format, the No. 1 seed started at 10-under par and had a two-shot lead over the No. 2 seed. This system aimed to add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament, but it has now been replaced with a simpler and more straightforward competition that should be easier for fans to follow.

The Tour Championship's purse has also undergone a significant reduction compared to previous years. The total purse is now $40 million, with the winner receiving $10 million. This contrasts with the prior system, where the combined purse throughout the FedExCup Playoffs was nearly $83 million, and the Tour Championship winner's share was around $25 million [2][4].

All 30 players competing in the Tour Championship will receive a minimum of $355,000, with top finishers earning considerably more. The payout structure also rewards players for their performance during the previous playoff events.

Key changes in the Tour Championship format are summarised below:

| Aspect | Previous Format (2019–2024) | New Format (2025–Present) | |-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Starting strokes | Players started at various scores based on FedExCup points (leader began at -10) | All players start at even par (0) | | Format | Staggered leaderboard, cumulative score + starting strokes | Traditional 72-hole stroke play with no strokes advantage | | Total purse | Nearly $83 million across playoffs; $25 million winner's prize | $40 million purse; $10 million winner's prize | | Field size | 30 players | 30 players |

These changes aim to enhance viewer engagement by presenting a more transparent and competitive tournament, with winning scores expected closer to par due to tougher course setups [1][3][4].

The last time East Lake had an official purse was in 2018, with Tiger Woods winning $1.62 million. The Tour Championship now has the richest individual prize fund in golf, with a total purse of $40 million. The winner of the Tour Championship will receive $10 million, while the runner-up will receive $5 million in official money, and third place will get $3,705,000 [2][4].

Patrick Cantlay, among others, appreciates the change away from starting strokes, valuing winning the Tour Championship as a significant achievement. Masters champion Rory McIlroy, U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, and Scottie Scheffler, who currently leads the money list with $20,362,883, have a mathematical chance of topping Scheffler's lead if they win at East Lake [2][4].

The Tour Championship's new format is expected to provide a more exciting and competitive experience for both players and fans. The elimination of starting strokes and the return to a traditional stroke play event should provide a more level playing field for all competitors, making the Tour Championship a thrilling event to watch.

[1] https://www.pgatour.com/news/2021/08/23/tour-championship-format-changes-2025-2026-pga-tour.html [2] https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/33338545/tour-championship-format-changes-2025-bring-simplicity-excitement [3] https://www.golfdigest.com/story/tour-championship-format-changes-2025-explained [4] https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/tour-championship-format-changes-explained-what-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-2025-event/

PGA Tour Championship boosts rewards, offering the most lucrative payout in golf history with a staggering $40 million purse.