The 2026 BMW Championship will feature a $20 million prize purse, making it one of the richest events on the PGA TOUR schedule. The winner will receive $3.6 million, while every player who completes the no-cut tournament is expected to earn prize money.
The FedExCup Playoffs event takes place from August 20–23, 2026, at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri.
What Is the 2026 BMW Championship Purse?
The total purse for the 2026 BMW Championship is $20 million.
The champion will collect 18% of the purse, resulting in a winner’s check of $3.6 million. The runner-up is expected to receive $2.16 million, while third place is worth approximately $1.36 million.
The PGA TOUR has officially confirmed both the overall purse and the winner’s share.
2026 BMW Championship Payout Breakdown
Here are the headline payouts based on the tournament’s $20 million purse:
| Finishing position | Prize money |
|---|---|
| Winner | $3,600,000 |
| Second | $2,160,000 |
| Third | $1,360,000 |
| Fourth | $990,000 |
| Fifth | Approximately $830,000 |
| Last place | Approximately $66,000 |
The complete position-by-position payout schedule had not been officially published at the time of writing. Figures beyond the confirmed purse and winner’s prize remain subject to final PGA TOUR confirmation.
How Much Does the BMW Championship Winner Receive?
The 2026 BMW Championship winner will earn $3.6 million from the $20 million purse.
In addition to the prize money, the champion will receive 750 FedExCup points. Those points could have a major impact on the season standings and qualification for the TOUR Championship.
Does Every Player Get Paid?
Yes. The BMW Championship features the leading 50 eligible players in the FedExCup standings and does not have a traditional 36-hole cut.
As a result, every golfer who completes the tournament is expected to receive a payout. Based on the previous edition’s distribution, the player finishing last could earn approximately $66,000.
Withdrawals, disqualifications and changes to the number of players completing the tournament can affect the final distribution.
How Are Payouts Handled When Players Tie?
When two or more golfers finish with the same score, the prize money assigned to their positions is combined and divided evenly.
For example, if two players tie for second, the payouts for second and third place are added together and split between them. Each golfer would therefore receive the same amount.
This means the final earnings may differ from the standard position-by-position payout table.
Why Is the BMW Championship So Important?
The BMW Championship is the second of three tournaments in the FedExCup Playoffs. Only the top 50 players advance to the event, and the top 30 in the standings after the final round qualify for the TOUR Championship.
Players are therefore competing for more than the $20 million purse. Their results also determine who advances to the PGA TOUR’s season finale and remains in contention for additional FedExCup prize money.
2026 BMW Championship Payout FAQs
What is the total purse?
The 2026 BMW Championship purse is $20 million.
How much does the winner earn?
The champion receives $3.6 million, or 18% of the overall purse.
How much does second place receive?
The runner-up is expected to earn $2.16 million, provided there are no ties affecting the distribution.
How much is third place worth?
Third place is expected to pay approximately $1.36 million.
Is there a cut?
No. The BMW Championship is a no-cut event featuring the top 50 eligible players in the FedExCup standings.
Does the last-place golfer receive prize money?
Yes. Every player who completes the event is expected to be paid. The last-place payout is projected to be around $66,000, although the final figure remains subject to confirmation.
When will the final payouts be known?
The precise earnings will be determined after the final round on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Ties and withdrawals can alter the amount each player receives.
For confirmed tournament details, consult the official PGA TOUR BMW Championship media page.
Editor’s note: The $20 million purse and $3.6 million winner’s prize are official. Other figures are projections based on the tournament’s established payout structure and may change when the PGA TOUR releases its complete 2026 distribution.