The PGA Tour is offering a $25 million purse at the 2026 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida this week.
The winner of the tournament will earn $4.5 million, the largest individual prize of the current PGA Tour season.
Why the Tournament Matters
The Players Championship is widely regarded as the flagship event of the PGA Tour calendar outside the four major championships.
The tournament takes place annually at TPC Sawgrass, a course known for its iconic par-3 island green at the 17th hole, and carries one of the strongest fields in professional golf.
The 2026 edition includes several of the sport’s top-ranked players, including:
- Rory McIlroy, defending champion
- Scottie Scheffler, world No.1
- Leading PGA Tour players competing for 750 FedExCup points
The purse of $25 million exceeds other PGA Tour signature events by $5 million, highlighting the tournament’s financial and competitive significance within the 2026 season.
Match Details
Tournament Details
- • Competition: The Players Championship
- • Tour: PGA Tour
- • Course: TPC Sawgrass
- • Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
- • Dates: February 12–15, 2026
- • Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy
- • FedExCup Points (Winner): 750
Broadcast Schedule
All times Eastern Time (ET).
Thursday & Friday
- 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | ESPN+
- 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Golf Channel
Saturday
- 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | ESPN+
- 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. | NBC / Peacock
Sunday
- 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. | ESPN+
- 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | NBC / Peacock
Data Box
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Purse | $25 million |
| Winner Prize | $4.5 million |
| FedExCup Points | 750 |
| Course | TPC Sawgrass |
| Defending Champion | Rory McIlroy |
Full Prize Money Breakdown (Top 10)
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $4,500,000 |
| 2 | $2,725,000 |
| 3 | $1,725,000 |
| 4 | $1,225,000 |
| 5 | $1,025,000 |
| 6 | $906,250 |
| 7 | $843,750 |
| 8 | $781,250 |
| 9 | $731,250 |
| 10 | $681,250 |
Players finishing 11th through 90th place will also receive payouts, with the final payout listed at $41,250 for 90th place.
Verified Source
The purse and payout information was first reported by Yahoo Sports, based on official PGA Tour tournament details.
Analysis
The $25 million purse reinforces the Players Championship’s position as the financial centerpiece of the PGA Tour season outside the majors.
Compared with previous major championships in 2025:
- Masters Tournament: $21 million purse
- U.S. Open: $21.5 million purse
- PGA Championship: $19 million purse
- The Open Championship: $17 million purse
The increased prize pool reflects the PGA Tour’s strategy to maintain strong fields at its flagship events during a competitive period in global professional golf.
What Happens Next
Key tournament milestones:
Round Schedule
- • Round 1: Thursday
- • Round 2: Friday
- • Round 3: Saturday
- • Final Round: Sunday
The winner will earn:
- $4.5 million prize money
- 750 FedExCup points
- Automatic invitations to future PGA Tour events.
Discussion
With the PGA Tour’s largest purse on the line at TPC Sawgrass, can Rory McIlroy successfully defend his title against a field led by Scottie Scheffler and other top-ranked players?