Scottie Scheffler earned $3.6 million for winning the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, finishing 8 shots clear of runner-up Si Woo Kim.
The $3.6 million figure is his gross tournament prize, not a verified after-tax take-home amount. Federal taxes and professional expenses, including caddie compensation, can reduce what a golfer ultimately keeps, but Scheffler’s precise net amount is not publicly known.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs, not one of golf’s 4 major championships. Separately, the victory also guaranteed Scheffler millions more in FedExCup bonus money.
A $20 million purse at TPC Southwind
The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship carried a $20 million purse, with Scottie Scheffler earning $3.6 million for the victory.
That purse is about 33.3% larger than the $15 million prize offered at the 2022 event. However, the purse did not newly jump to $20 million in 2026; the tournament also offered $20 million in 2025.
Federal income tax is calculated using graduated rates on taxable income, while allowable expenses can affect the final amount subject to tax. As a result, a tournament’s published winner’s share should not be treated as a golfer’s verified after-tax income.
Scheffler’s dominant win by 8 shots
Scheffler opened the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a 2-under 68 before taking control with a 9-under 61 in the second round, which gave him a 3-shot lead.
He entered Sunday with a 2-shot advantage and then pulled away decisively, closing with a 4-under 66 to finish at 17-under 263.
Scheffler won by 8 shots over Si Woo Kim, the largest winning margin in the history of the event at TPC Southwind. The victory also reinforced his position as the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer.
Where that $3.6 million really goes
Exactly how much of Scheffler’s $3.6 million tournament prize he ultimately keeps is not publicly known. The published payout represents gross prize money rather than verified after-tax income.
Federal income tax uses graduated marginal rates. For 2026, the highest individual federal rate is 37%, but the amount a taxpayer ultimately owes depends on filing status, taxable income, deductions, and other relevant tax circumstances.
Professional expenses can also affect taxable income, while caddie compensation is determined through private agreements between players and caddies. Those variables make it impossible to calculate Scheffler’s precise take-home amount from the $3.6 million payout alone.
Caddie Ted Scott could earn a sizable bonus
Professional golf caddies are often paid a percentage of their player’s tournament winnings, with 10% of the winner’s prize commonly cited as an industry rule of thumb.
Scheffler earned $3.6 million for winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Under a hypothetical 10% arrangement, that would translate to $360,000 for his caddie.
However, Scheffler and Ted Scott have not publicly disclosed the precise terms of their agreement, so Scott’s exact compensation from the victory is not publicly known.
Chasing Tiger Woods on the money list
Scheffler’s victory at TPC Southwind moved him to roughly $119.96 million in official PGA Tour career earnings, leaving him about $1.04 million behind Tiger Woods’ record of $120,999,166.
The St. Jude win also moved Scheffler ahead of Rory McIlroy into second place on the PGA Tour’s official career money list. Scheffler has reached that total in far fewer PGA Tour starts than Woods, reflecting the dramatic growth in tournament purses during the modern era.
Little-known fact: Scheffler has said he kept the same yardage-book cover for 4 years and prefers a particular metal Cypress Point divot tool. After losing one, he found a replacement on eBay for about $50.
Little-known fact: Scheffler admitted he uses the same divot tool and ball marker almost every round and has kept the same yardage book cover for four straight years.
Tennessee offers a state tax advantage
Tennessee does not impose an individual state income tax on earned income, so income from the Memphis tournament is not subject to Tennessee individual income tax.
That differs from states such as California and New York, which can tax nonresidents on income sourced to services performed within their borders.
For touring professionals, state tax liability can therefore vary depending on where income is earned. Federal income tax remains separate from any state-level obligation.
Bigger paydays are still waiting ahead
Scheffler’s next playoff event is the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club from August 20–23. The tournament carries a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million going to the winner.
The field consists of the top 50 players remaining in the FedExCup standings, and only the top 30 after the BMW Championship will advance to the season-ending Tour Championship.
The Tour Championship carries a $40 million purse, with $10 million going to the winner and FedExCup champion. With Scheffler only about $1.04 million behind Tiger Woods in official career PGA Tour earnings, another large finish could move him into the No. 1 position.
Big golf paydays can bring big tax obligations
Large tournament prizes can produce substantial tax liabilities, but gross prize money should not be confused with a golfer’s final after-tax income.
For 2026, the highest federal individual income-tax rate is 37%. Some states may impose additional tax on income earned within their borders, meaning combined marginal rates can exceed 40% in certain circumstances.
State treatment varies considerably. California taxes nonresidents on qualifying California-source income, while Tennessee imposes no individual income tax on earned income. A golfer’s actual effective tax burden depends on income, filing status, deductions, and where the income is earned.
Little-known fact: Close friend Jordan Spieth says Scheffler “doesn’t care to be a superstar” and keeps corporate obligations to a minimum, unlike stars who chase the spotlight that comes with success.
TL;DR
- Scottie Scheffler earned $3.6 million after winning the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship by 8 shots.
- The $3.6 million represents gross tournament prize money, not a verified after-tax take-home figure.
- Scheffler’s exact net amount is not publicly known because taxes, allowable expenses, and other financial circumstances affect the final calculation.
- The highest federal individual income-tax rate for 2026 is 37%, but that is a marginal rate rather than a flat 37% tax on every dollar of gross prize money.
- Caddies commonly receive about 10% of a winner’s prize under traditional arrangements, but Scheffler and Ted Scott have not publicly disclosed their exact agreement.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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