How much prize money did Viktor Hovland win at the 2023 Memorial Tournament?

In a breathtaking display of skill and nerve, Viktor Hovland, the talented 25-year-old from Norway, emerged victorious at the revered Memorial Tournament on Sunday. With a remarkable birdie putt at the 17th hole and a clutch par on the first playoff hole, Hovland secured his fourth and most prestigious PGA Tour win to date. The Memorial Tournament, hosted at the esteemed Muirfield Village Golf Club, provided the stage for Hovland’s memorable triumph, earning him a coveted handshake from the legendary tournament host, Jack Nicklaus.

In an interview with CBS, Hovland expressed his disbelief and excitement, saying, “It’s a little bit surreal right now. Playing Jack’s course and participating in his tournament, let alone winning it, and having him witness it all - he just shook my hand and offered me a few words of encouragement. That’s pretty awesome.”

The final round witnessed an intense battle among the world’s top golfers, as they struggled to conquer the demanding course. Denny McCarthy, fueled by a red-hot putter, appeared destined for his maiden PGA Tour title. However, a heartbreaking bogey on the last hole saw him tied with Hovland at an impressive 7-under 281, just one stroke ahead of Scottie Scheffler.

Hovland and McCarthy showcased contrasting approaches, each shooting a solid 2-under 70. Hovland’s round featured five birdies and three bogeys, with the pivotal birdie on the 17th hole, sinking a remarkable 27 1/2-foot putt - the sole birdie recorded on that hole throughout the day. Reflecting on his performance, Hovland remarked, “It’s fun to win one of these things without just relying on ball-striking. Now I can draw upon some other strengths as well.”

Viktor Hovland’s prize money?

The Memorial tournament is still relatively new on the PGA scene and offers up a total purse of $20 million for the golfers who made the cut. For those that made the top 36, they were guaranteed at least half a million dollars while Hovland, as the winner, took home $3.6 million along with the coveted trophy.

Here is the full breakdown of the winnings per place:

Denny McCarthy, so near yet so far

McCarthy’s journey was equally impressive, with an early surge of three birdies propelling him forward. Consistent pars shielded him from the relentless challenges posed by notable contenders like Rory McIlroy. McCarthy, who dominated the field in strokes gained putting during the tournament, held an 8-under score and a two-stroke lead for a significant portion of the afternoon.

However, after ten consecutive pars from holes 8 to 17, McCarthy’s drive on the par-4 18th landed in thick rough to the left of the fairway. A mere punch-out into the fairway followed, leaving him with a challenging third shot that settled 23 feet away from the cup. Alas, his attempt to save par sailed past the cup, resulting in a disappointing 5-foot bogey and forcing a playoff.

Returning to the 18th hole for the playoff, McCarthy’s drive veered drastically to the right this time. Regrettably, he missed a 14-foot putt for par, while Hovland expertly lagged a long 58-foot putt before flawlessly saving par from approximately 7 feet.

Hovland had been a formidable presence throughout Sunday’s play, consistently contending at major golf events this season. Notably, he secured a third-place finish at The Players Championship, tied for seventh at the Masters, and attained second place at last month’s PGA Championship. Reflecting on his recent victory, Hovland shared, “I just played smart, stuck to my game plan, and came through in the clutch this time. It feels even better after coming close on a few occasions over the past few months.”

An emotional McCarthy expressed both disappointment and gratitude, stating, “I battled really hard. I’m heartbroken right now, but there are a lot of positives to take from this week. Just played really well. I would say my putter kept me in it when I was a little shaky.”