Scottie Scheffler narrowly missed out on a third Green Jacket at the Masters Tournament, finishing just one shot behind Rory McIlroy at Augusta National. Despite securing second place, the world No. 1 is set to lose a significant portion of his prize money due to taxation.
Scheffler began his campaign in challenging conditions on Thursday, as the course became increasingly firm throughout the day. Conditions improved on Friday following watering, which made scoring easier. However, he was unable to fully capitalize on the change and recover lost ground.
A strong performance over the weekend saw Scheffler post rounds of 65 and 68, bringing him to 11-under par. He also became the first golfer in 84 years to complete the final round without a bogey. Despite this late surge, McIlroy maintained his lead, closing with a one-under 71 to secure victory.
The 2026 Masters featured a record prize fund of $22.5 million, an increase from $21 million the previous year. McIlroy earned $4.5 million for his win, while Scheffler received $2.43 million for finishing second. Players including Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, and Cameron Young shared third place, each earning $1.08 million.
However, like all competitors at Augusta, Scheffler is subject to U.S. taxation on his earnings. According to analysis, players face a combined tax rate of 41.99 percent, which includes a 37 percent federal withholding rate and Georgia’s 4.99 percent state tax.
Applied to Scheffler’s $2.43 million prize, this results in a tax bill of $1,020,357, reducing his net earnings by over $1 million.
Across the entire field, the total tax paid on 2026 Masters winnings is projected to reach $9,447,750, representing an increase from the previous year.
The Masters remains one of the most lucrative events in golf, though it is still behind The Players Championship, which leads with a $25 million purse. Other major tournaments include the PGA Championship at $19 million, The Open Championship at $17 million, and the U.S. Open at $21.5 million.
Scheffler’s performance at Augusta, particularly his strong weekend rounds, signals a return to top form after a dip in results prior to the tournament. He had fallen outside the top 10 in three consecutive starts, ending a streak of 18 straight top-10 finishes earlier in the season.
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