Tommy Fleetwood’s late bogey cost him another win at the FedEx Cup Playoffs, setting up a dramatic $20 million showdown at the 2025 BMW Championship in Maryland.
In this video we break down:
• Every player’s exact payout from $3.6 million (winner) down to $68k (49th place)
• How Fleetwood’s heartbreak in Memphis fuels the storylines at Caves Valley
• The top 50 shrinking to 49 after Sepp Straka’s withdrawal
• Ryder Cup implications—who’s in, who’s on the bubble
• Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy & J.J. Spaun’s quest for East Lake
Perfect for golf fans tracking FedEx Cup points, prize money, and the road to the Tour Championship. Subscribe for weekly PGA Tour updates and prize-money reveals!
The stakes have never been higher at the BMW Championship, where every shot could change a golfer’s entire season. As we move into the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, excitement is building at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. This tournament boasts a hefty $20 million prize fund with the winner set to take home a staggering $3.6 million on Sunday. But here’s where it gets controversial. Only the top 30 players will advance to the Tour Championship finale, making every stroke during this event crucial. The opening playoff event was nothing short of dramatic. Justin Rose put on a thrilling display, birdieing multiple late holes in Memphis and ultimately defeating JJ Spawn on a tense third playoff hole at TPC Southwind. Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood was right in contention, but stumbled with a late bogey, finishing just one shot behind. This moment alone highlights how final margins can be at this stage where five players fought hard to leap into the top 50 while an equal number found themselves edged out of the playoffs. And this is the part most people miss. The pressure doesn’t just affect those at the top. Those hovering around the cutoff experience an equally intense battle. Now the competition narrows to the top 50 golfers in FedEx Cup standings. Actually 49 active players, which we’ll explain shortly. This week’s event promises another thrilling finish, especially in the closing nine holes on Sunday, where we’ll find out which 30 golfers secure their spots at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta for the Tour Championship. Heading into this week’s battle, the world number one player, Scotty Sheffler, holds a strong position. He finished tied for third last week and was narrowly out of the playoff contention. Rory Mroy, one of golf’s biggest names, made a strategic choice to skip the opener, leaving him exactly in second place with no movement in rankings. JJ Spawn sits third. Justin Rose remains fourth and Sep Straka holds fifth. However, in an unexpected turn, Straka withdrew on Monday due to a personal matter, which means the tournament field this week consists of only 49 players. Despite his absence, Straka is still guaranteed to finish inside the top 30 and advance to East Lake, sitting right at the edge. Lucas Glover holds the 30th spot with Sam Stevens just behind in 31st. For those who want the full breakdown, the complete top 50 list is available. There’s more at stake than just FedEx Cup advancement. Several critical RDER Cup spots are on the line this week. The top six players will automatically qualify for the US RDER Cup team as of Sunday’s conclusion. Captain Keegan Bradley, last year’s BMW Championship winner at Castle Pines, has only a few days after the Tour Championship to pick his six captain’s picks to round out the team. Currently the leading six in points include Sheffller, Spawn, Xander Schoffley, Russell Henley, Bryson Dambo, and Harris English. Also close in contention are Justin Thomas, Colin Morawa, and Ben Griffin, while Bradley himself is sitting in 10th place. This dynamic undoubtedly adds another layer of tension. Should Keegan select form or favor experience? What would you do if you were captain? But before Ryder Cup debate teed up, there’s the immediate challenge outside Baltimore. Four intense rounds over the next few days. Every shot counts as players compete not only for the title, but also for the survival in the FedEx Cup race and precious Rider Cup status. Here’s a detailed look at the prize money distribution for the 2025 BMW Championship, illustrating just how significant the financial stakes are for every finishing position. First place, $3.6 million. Second place, $2.16 million. Third place, $1.36 million. Fourth place, $990,000. Fifth place, $830,000. Seventh place, 7,000. $695,000. Eighth place, $640,000. 9inth place, $600,000. 10th place, $560,000. 11th place, $520,000. 12th place, $480,000. 13th place, $441,000. 14th place, $42,000. 15th place, $382,000. 16th place, $362,000. 17th place, $342,000. 18th place, $322,000. 19th place, $32,000. 20th place, $282,000. 21st place, $262,000. 20 Who will rise under pressure? Who will disappoint? And what surprises lie in store? What’s your take? Should the RDER Cup captain rely solely on current form in these playoffs or factor in past experience when selecting his team? And given Straka’s withdrawal but guaranteed advancement, how do you feel about players benefiting from circumstance rather than performance? Jump into the discussion below. Your thoughts could spark the next bid debate.