BMW Championship Showdown: Golfers Chase Big Payouts and Glory
With a late showcase of exceptional golf on a windy Saturday at Olympia Fields Country Club, the leaderboard for the BMW Championship became top-heavy with PGA Tour winners. The battle for the top 30 spots in the FedEx Cup standings and a ticket to the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta intensified, with $18 million in first-place prize money at stake.
Who is likely to win the BMW Championship?
The final round of the BMW Championship features a packed leaderboard with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick leading the way at 11-under. Scheffler, who narrowly missed out on the FedEx Cup title last year, looks poised to return to East Lake as the top seed. With two wins this season, including the Players Championship, and finishing in the top five 12 times, Scheffler is one of the favorites to claim the BMW Championship title.
However, Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the RBC Heritage in April, is also in contention, seeking to qualify for the Tour Championship. Despite a bizarre bogey on the par-4 home hole after a marshal allegedly moved his ball, Fitzpatrick remains tied for the lead.
The pair will face stiff competition from British Open winner Brian Harman, just one stroke behind the leaders. Second-round leader Max Homa recovered from a triple bogey to come in at 201 and remains in the hunt. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland are tied at 202, with Sam Burns leading a large group at seven-under 203.
What is the payout for the 2023 FedEx Cup?
The FedEx Cup prize has been set at a staggering $18 million for the first-place winner. As the ultimate goal of the PGA Tour Playoffs, this massive payout is the culmination of the golf season, rewarding the player who performs the best across the playoff events.
How much did Cantlay win at the BMW Championship?
Patrick Cantlay, World No. 4 and ranked fifth in the FedEx Cup standings, has won the BMW Championship twice in the previous two years. Cantlay's chances for a three-peat, however, seem slim, as he starts the final round eight strokes behind the leaders. The exact amount Cantlay won in previous editions of the tournament varies, but with the winner's prize set at $3.6 million this year, it's safe to say he has secured significant earnings from his previous victories.
How much does the winner of the BMW Championship get?
The BMW Championship boasts a generous $20 million purse, with a whopping $3.6 million going to the winner. This significant prize money serves as a powerful motivator for the golfers battling for the top spot and a chance to advance to the Tour Championship.
Scheffler, who already earned a PGA Tour record $19.2 million for the season, stands to make another $3.6 million with a win on Sunday. He's been on the cusp of a monster season, finishing in the top five 12 times and leading the field in strokes gained/off the tee, tee to green, and approach the green. Despite his consistency, Scheffler acknowledges that he could have won more tournaments this season.
Fitzpatrick, who has been disappointed in his season, particularly with his driving performance, also seeks redemption with a strong showing at the BMW Championship. After beating Jordan Spieth in a playoff to win the RBC Heritage in April, Fitzpatrick entered the second FedEx Cup playoff event 40th in the points standings and needs a strong finish to qualify for the Tour Championship.
At the lower end of the battle for the top 30 spots, Denny McCarthy clings to the last spot after a 65, moving from outside the qualifying number to a potential date at East Lake. Joining him in the fight are Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose, who shot a 68 on Saturday and moved up six places to 26th.
While Jordan Spieth, Emiliano Grillo, and Sepp Straka currently occupy places 31-33, respectively, the final round of the BMW Championship will undoubtedly see plenty of movement on the leaderboard as players jostle for position and a coveted spot in the Tour Championship.
As the battle heats up at the BMW Championship, golfers chase not only the $3.6 million winner's prize but also a chance to compete for the coveted FedEx Cup and its $18 million first-place prize. With so much on the line, the final round promises to be an exciting and intense competition, showcasing some of the best golfers in the world at their very best.
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown at Olympia Fields Country Club, as the top PGA Tour players compete for the prestigious BMW Championship title and a shot at the ultimate prize: the FedEx Cup. With a mix of seasoned champions and rising stars in contention, the final round promises to deliver high drama and unforgettable golfing moments.