With just days remaining until the 2025 Masters, the Texas Children’s Houston Open has emerged as one of the final proving grounds for golf’s elite. The Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas is once again in the spotlight as the PGA Tour returns to the fan-favorite venue, with a high-stakes tournament that features a $9.5 million purse and a field stacked with top-tier talent.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Rory McIlroy are both teeing it up in what promises to be an early season clash of titans.
Though both players have their eyes firmly set on Augusta National, the Houston Open offers a key opportunity to sharpen form, build momentum, and collect valuable FedEx Cup and Official World Golf Ranking points.
This year’s event will see defending champion Stephan Jaeger attempt to hold off one of the strongest fields of the year outside of Signature Events.
Last season, Jaeger pulled off a dramatic upset by edging out Scheffler in a tense final round, earning $1.638 million in the process. This time, the stakes are even higher, with the winner set to take home $1.71 million.
Although much of the attention is naturally gravitating toward the coming Masters, the Houston Open stands as a critical benchmark-especially for those like McIlroy and Scheffler, who are looking to polish their game in real-time competition before heading to Augusta.
McIlroy, who continues his pursuit of a career Grand Slam, hasn’t always fared well in the weeks leading into majors, while Scheffler is looking to maintain the consistency that has made him the top-ranked player in the world.
How much money does the winner make?
Beyond the prestige and pressure, the financial rewards in Houston are considerable. The total purse has risen slightly to $9.5 million, with payouts awarded all the way through to 65th place. In addition to the $1.71 million for first place, the runner-up will earn $1,035,500, while third place will claim $655,500.
Players finishing in the top 10 will each earn six-figure sums, with 10th place netting $258,875. Even those who barely make the cut-down to 65th-are set to walk away with just over $20,000.
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