The 2026 Memorial Tournament, hosted at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, features a $20 million total purse, with the event winner set to earn $4 million. As a signature event on the PGA Tour, the tournament requires a field cut, trimming the 72-player roster to the top 50 and ties following the second round.
Tournament Structure and Prize Breakdown
The Memorial Tournament serves as a high-stakes stop on the PGA Tour schedule. According to the PGA Tour official leaderboard, the event is classified as a "Signature Event," offering 700 FedExCup points to the champion. The total purse of $20 million is distributed among the field based on final performance.
The winner’s share of $4 million reflects the tournament’s status, distinguishing it from no-cut signature events that typically pay $3.6 million to the victor. The payout structure for the top finishers is as follows:
- 1st: $4,000,000
- 2nd: $2,200,000
- 3rd: $1,400,000
- 4th: $1,000,000
- 5th: $840,000
- 6th: $760,000
- 7th: $700,000
- 8th: $646,000
- 9th: $600,000
- 10th: $556,000
Historical Context and Player Performance
Muirfield Village has hosted the tournament annually since 1976. The event is synonymous with Jack Nicklaus, who founded the tournament. Historically, Tiger Woods stands out with five career victories at the venue. Woods remains the only player in the history of the event to achieve a three-peat.
Recent winners of the tournament include Scottie Scheffler, who claimed victory in both 2024 and 2025. Scheffler’s back-to-back wins highlight the competitive nature of the course, which often serves as a final preparation for players heading to the U.S. Open.
Field Dynamics
The 2026 field features a mix of veteran champions and rising stars. Because this is a signature event with a cut, the pressure on the 72-player field is significant. Players must navigate the course effectively through the first two rounds to remain in contention for the weekend. The shift from a full field to the top 50 and ties ensures that only the most consistent performers remain to compete for the $4 million top prize on Sunday, June 7, 2026.