The Wyndham Championship has long served as the final counting event of the PGA Tour's regular season, with players jockeying for position in the crucial FedEx Cup standings ahead of the lucrative playoffs. But this year in Greensboro, it was Aaron Rai who had the biggest week of all, breaking through for his second Tour title and a $1.422 million payday.
The 29-year-old Englishman earned every cent, hanging on in a pressure-packed situation down the stretch on Sunday as others fell by the wayside. Trailing by one to start the day, Rai methodically carded a bogey-free, 6-under 64 to finish at 20-under, ultimately winning by two over Max Greyserman. "Whether it’s me that wins or whether it’s someone else that wins," a thrilled yet reserved Rai said after his victory.
Beyond the trophy and playoff potential, the victory also netted Rai 500 valuable FedEx Cup points, exemptions into golf's top events, and praise from his peers for how he has steadily climbed the world rankings. But as Rai knows, it takes more than talent - it takes grit, determination and composure under fire to take home a tour title. His latest win showed he possesses all of those qualities in abundance.
As for the rest of the lucrative field, a total of $7.9 million was spread out among the top finishers. J.J. Spaun and Ryo Hataistune took home $466,100 apiece for their T3 finishes, while Luke Clanton's amateur status prevented him from collecting his share of the fifth-place payout. Further down the board, 14 players tied for 10th and received $144,965 each.
With the Tour's postseason teeing off this week in Jersey City for The Northern Trust, Rai can head to the first FedEx Cup playoff event flying high as a newly-crowned champion. His triumph at Sedgefield was surely the finest moment of his career to date. Only time will tell if there may be more wins, and paydays, still to come.
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Here are the earnings for the top players:
1. Aaron Rai $1,422 million
2. Max Greyserman $861,100
T3. J.J. Spaun $466,100
Ryo Histatune $466,100
5. Luke Clanton (amateur and will not collect winnings)
6. Austin Eckroat $323,900
T7. Ben Griffin $249,245
Adam Svensson $249,245
Trace Crowe $249,245
Eric Cole $249,245
Billy Horschel $249,245
T12. Roger Sloan $144,965
Chan Kim $144,965
Mac Meissner $144,965
Keith Mitchell $144,965
Brendon Todd $144,965
Davis Thompson $144,965
Jacob Bridgeman $144,965
Charley Hoffman $144,965
Beau Hossler $144,965
Matt Kuchar $144,965
T22. Christiaan Bezuidenhout 79,658.33
Chris Gotterup 79,658.33
Nico Echavarria 79,658.33
Keegan Bradley 79,658.33
Rico Hoey 79,658.33
Cameron Young 79,658.33
T28. Matt Wallace $56,485
Gary Woodland $56,485
Mackenzie Hughes $56,485
Seamus Power $56,485
Adam Hadwin $56,485
T33. Victor Perez $45,109
Zach Johnson $45,109
Justin Lower $45,109
Denny McCarthy $45,109
Patrick Rodgers $45,109
T38. Davis Riley $37,525
Nick Hardy $37,525
Chandler Phillips $37,525
T41. K.H. Lee $31,995
Sungjae Im $31,995
Doug Ghim $31,995
Brice Garnett $31,995
T45. Maverick McNealy $23,711.29
Ryan Moore $23,711.29
Zac Blair $23,711.29
Brian Harman $23,711.29
Martin Trainer $23,711.29
Cameron Champ $23,711.29
Daniel Berger $23,711.29
T52. Jorge Campillo $18,881
Andrew Novak $18,881
Kevin Tway $18,881
Ben Taylor $18,881
Taylor Moore $18,881
Justin Suh $18,881
Chad Ramey $18,881
T59. Emiliano Grillo $18,012
Nate Lashley $18,012
T61. Jhonattan Vegas $17,696
Pierceson Coody $17,696
63. Vince Whaley $17,459
T64. Matti Schmid $17,222
Joel Dahmen $17,222
66. S.H. Kim $16,985
