The first event of the PGA Tour's new FedEx Fall has been underway this weekend -- albeit before another break to make way for the Ryder Cup -- at the 2023 Fortinet Championship. The new fall format will see a plethora of players who failed to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs (the Top 70 from last regular season) compete to try and earn their way into signature events.
Justin Thomas, who is both trying to earn those signature event entires after finishing 71st in the standings last season while also tuning up for Rome and the Ryder Cup, led the way in the Fortinet Championship field. Alongside him was two-time defending champion Max Homa. But it was Sahith Theegala who took control of the tournament going into Sunday with a two-shot lead, seeking his first PGA Tour victory.
This could be a groundswell moment for Theegala, and it could also very well mean life-changing prize money. Though the entire Fortinet Championship payout will come from a pedestrian $8.4 million purse, there is still plenty of prize money on the line. So let's take a look at the winner's share of that $8.4 million before we see the entire Fortinet Championship payout distribution by finishing position.
Fortinet Championship payout distribution: Winner's prize money in 2023
The winner of the Fortinet Championship will receive $1.512 million in prize money. Many of the FedEx Fall events that we're set to see throughout the end of 2023 will likely carry similar payouts for the tournament winners as there are no signature events with elevated purses. Even still, $1.512 million for four days worth of work, even if strenuous, seems well worth it.
Fortinet Championship payout distribution by finishing position
As mentioned, Theegala came into the final round at the Fortinet with the lead. More important than any amount of prize money, however, is getting his first win on the PGA Tour. He's experienced several close calls since the former Pepperdine star entered the fray, and it's felt like only a matter of time before he breaks through with a victory.
That matter of time might be ending in Napa this week.
