Why Rory McIlroy lost $2 million after winning the Masters

TL;DR

Rory McIlroy won the Masters but lost $2 million due to tax implications on his prize money. He was expected to receive a $4.5 million check from a $22.5 million purse.

Key points

Rory McIlroy won the Masters and received the Green Jacket.
He was expected to earn $4.5 million from a $22.5 million purse.
Scottie Scheffler was the runner-up with a prize of $2.43 million.

Rory McIlroyScottie SchefflerTyrrell HattonRussell Henley

Why Rory McIlroy lost $2 million after winning the Masters originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While Rory McIlroy took home the coveted Green Jacket, he came up short on the expected $4.5 million prize check.

McIlroy made history as the fourth golfer to make back-to-back wins at the Masters. He follows behind Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.

The Masters is making sure McIlroy is reaping in the benefits of winning his sixth major championship. He was reportedly offered a $22.5 million purse and the $4.5 million check.

Scottie Scheffler was the runner-up, won $2.43 million, and Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, and Cameron Young each took home $1.08 million for tying at third place.

Why McIlroy won't see all of his $4.5 million prize money is due to taxes. He is expected to lose almost $1.9 million of his 2026 winnings due to US tax regulations.

Despite the nearly 2 million loss due to taxes, the magnitude of cementing himself in golf history is priceless.

"It’s the best day of my golfing life, and I'm very proud of myself, proud of never giving up," he told the PGA on April 17.
"I'm proud of how I kept coming back and dusting myself off and not letting the disappointments get to me. It's a dream come true. I have dreamt about this moment for as long as I can remember."

He continued sharing that he had some doubts about whether he would ever don the Green Jacket, but the timing would ever pan out.

"This feels incredible. It’s my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time," he added. "I think the last 10 years of coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders, it weighed on me, and I'm sort of wondering what we're going to talk about going into next year's Masters! I'm absolutely honored and thrilled, and so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion."

Q&A

Why did Rory McIlroy lose $2 million after winning the Masters?

Rory McIlroy lost $2 million due to tax implications on his prize money from the Masters.

What was Rory McIlroy's prize money for winning the Masters?

Rory McIlroy was expected to receive a $4.5 million prize check from a total purse of $22.5 million.

Who were the other top finishers at the Masters and their earnings?

Scottie Scheffler, the runner-up, won $2.43 million, while Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, and Cameron Young each earned $1.08 million for tying at third place.