Rory McIlroy earns eye-watering sum for ending twelfth after expensive bogey
JT Poston won a two-hole play-off to claim his first victory of 2026 at the Memorial Tournament, with Masters champion Rory McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler both finishing tied for 12th
He didn’t play well, but bagged a fortune(Image: Mike Mulholland, Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has seemingly failed upwards after pocketing twice the prize money of his good mate Shane Lowry, after tying for 12th place at the rain-soaked Memorial Tournament.
Tommy Fleetwood let a one-shot lead slip to finish fourth in Ohio, while JT Poston clinched the win. The third round at Muirfield Village had to be extended into Sunday morning, but Poston’s four-stroke advantage quickly disappeared as an eagle from Fleetwood on the 15th hole propelled the Englishman into the lead down the home stretch.
However, a bogey just two holes later proved costly, and Fleetwood could only watch as Poston and Ryan Gerard finished two strokes ahead on 12 under par, before Poston held his nerve to secure victory after two play-off holes.
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The early focus in Ohio was firmly on Masters champion McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler, who was vying for Tiger Woods’ impressive record of winning this prestigious event three times in a row.
Ultimately, both McIlroy and Scheffler had to make do with a share of 12th place, finishing on four under after carding final rounds of 68 and 71 respectively. Both walked away with cheques for over €348,000 – double what Lowry earned for tying for 22nd, reports the Irish Mirror.
Saturday’s play was halted with Poston and Gerard tied on nine under at the sixth green, though Poston boosted his total to 12 under once the third round concluded on Sunday morning.
Gerard was four shots behind, while Sam Burns held third place on seven under, with Fleetwood and American Wyndham Clark completing the top five on six under.
McIlroy had made a blistering start with three consecutive birdies in his final round, but he encountered difficulties further along the course as Poston held firm until a thrilling back nine unfolded. A birdie for Burns on the ninth and a bogey for Poston heightened the tension, and before long, it was a four-way tie at the top until Fleetwood’s eagle on the 15th.
The lead proved short-lived as Clark managed to join Fleetwood on 11 under, before a bogey by the Englishman saw him card a 68 to finish on 10 under.
Gerard took the lead with a stunning 37-foot putt, but Poston remained composed on the 18th, securing a birdie to force a play-off.
The 482-yard par-four 18th hole was required for the play-off, and while both recorded par on the first attempt, Gerard needed five shots the next time round, and Poston claimed his first victory of 2026.
Memorial Tournament prize money:
- Winner: J.T. Poston $4 million
- 2. Ryan Gerard $2.2 million
- 3. Wyndham Clark $1.4 million
- T4. Tommy Fleetwood $920,000
- T4. Sam Burns $920,000
- T6. Alex Fitzpatrick $730,000
- T6. Kristoffer Reitan $730,000
- 8. Eric Cole $646,000
- 9. Alex Noren $600,000
- T10. Si Woo Kim $535,000
- T10. Maverick McNealy $535,000
- T12. Adam Scott $401,800
- T12. Rory McIlroy $401,800
- T12. Justin Rose $401,800
- T12. Scottie Scheffler $401,800
- T12. J.J. Spaun $401,800 T17. Patrick Cantlay £319,000
- T17. Harris English £319,000
- T19. Aaron Rai £269,333.34
- T19. Justin Thomas £269,333.34
- T19. Keegan Bradley £269,333.34
- T22. Bud Cauley £200,200
- T22. Matt Kuchar £200,200
- T22. Russell Henley £200,200
- T22. Shane Lowry £200,200
- T22. Kurt Kitayama £200,200
