Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are both in contention heading into the second day of the RBC Canadian Open in Ontario.
McIlroy finished on four under par after an opening round 66, while Lowry is a shot further back, with American Wyndham Clark the overnight leader on seven under.
But of course the LIV Golf Invitational Series is also taking place this weekend, with Graeme McDowell, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson among those playing in the inaugural tournament on the controversial Saudi-backed Tour, the prize money for which is quite simply staggering.
The winner of the Canadian Open will pocket $1,566,000, which is undoubtedly a considerable amount of money, but it is dwarfed by the $4million that the person who wins the LIV Golf Invitational Series will pick up.
Incredibly, the players who finish second and third at Centurion Club will also earn more money than the winner of the PGA Tour event, while the 13th placed player at the LIV Golf Invitational Series will pocket more than whoever finishes fifth in Ontario.
The PGA Tour has suspended all players competing in the LIV Golf Invitational Series in a move branded “vindictive” by the Saudi-backed breakaway.
Within minutes of the first shots being struck in the £20million event – the most lucrative golf tournament in history – the PGA Tour sent a memo to all members informing them that 17 players competing at Centurion, despite being refused permission, were being suspended.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote.
“But they can’t demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.
“In accordance with the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Regulations, the players competing this week without releases are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA TOUR tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.
“Their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations. The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.”
McIlroy welcomed the decision saying: “All he (Monahan) is doing is basically going by the book. I think that the majority of the membership that are here this week and that haven’t went and played elsewhere really appreciate that.
“So I think he’s done the right thing because these guys have broken rules and done things outside of the tournament regulations, and because of that, there are going to be consequences, I guess.”
Here's a full breakdown of prize money for each tournament:
LIV Golf Invitational Series
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,000,000 |
| 2nd | $2,125,000 |
| 3rd | $1,500,000 |
| 4th | $1,050,000 |
| 5th | $975,000 |
| 6th | $800,000 |
| 7th | $675,000 |
| 8th | $625,000 |
| 9th | $580,000 |
| 10th | $560,000 |
| 11th | $540,000 |
| 12th | $450,000 |
| 13th | $360,000 |
| 14th | $270,000 |
| 15th | $250,000 |
| 16th | $240,000 |
| 17th | $232,000 |
| 18th | $226,200 |
| 19th | $220,000 |
| 20th | $200,000 |
| 21st | $180,000 |
| 22nd | $172,000 |
| 23rd | $170,000 |
| 24th | $168,000 |
| 25th | $166,000 |
| 26th | $164,000 |
| 27th | $162,000 |
| 28th | $160,000 |
| 29th | $158,000 |
| 30th | $156,000 |
| 31st | $154,000 |
| 32nd | $152,000 |
| 33rd | $150,000 |
| 34th | $148,000 |
| 35th | $146,000 |
| 36th | $144,000 |
| 37th | $142,000 |
| 38th | $140,000 |
| 39th | $138,000 |
| 40th | $136,000 |
| 41st | $134,000 |
| 42nd | $132,000 |
| 43rd | $130,000 |
| 44th | $128,000 |
| 45th | $126,000 |
| 46th | $124,000 |
| 47th | $122,000 |
| 48th | $120,000 |
Canadian Open
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,566,000 |
| 2nd | $948,300 |
| 3rd | $600,300 |
| 4th | $426,300 |
| 5th | $356,700 |
| 6th | $315,375 |
| 7th | $293,625 |
| 8th | $271,875 |
| 9th | $254,475 |
| 10th | $237,075 |
| 11th | $219,675 |
| 12th | $202,275 |
| 13th | $184,875 |
| 14th | $167,475 |
| 15th | $158,775 |
| 16th | $150,075 |
| 17th | $141,375 |
| 18th | $132,675 |
| 19th | $123,975 |
| 20th | $115,275 |
| 21st | $106,575 |
| 22nd | $97,875 |
| 23rd | $90,915 |
| 24th | $83,955 |
| 25th | $76,995 |
| 26th | $70,035 |
| 27th | $67,425 |
| 28th | $64,815 |
| 29th | $62,205 |
| 30th | $59,595 |
| 31st | $56,985 |
| 32nd | $54,375 |
| 33rd | $51,765 |
| 34th | $49,590 |
| 35th | $47,415 |
| 36th | $45,240 |
| 37th | $43,065 |
| 38th | $41,325 |
| 39th | $39,585 |
| 40th | $37,845 |
| 41st | $36,105 |
| 42nd | $34,365 |
| 43rd | $32,625 |
| 44th | $30,885 |
| 45th | $29,145 |
| 46th | $27,405 |
| 47th | $25,665 |
| 48th | $24,273 |
| 49th | $23,055 |
| 50th | $22,359 |
| 51st | $21,837 |
| 52nd | $21,315 |
| 53rd | $20,967 |
| 54th | $20,619 |
| 55th | $20,445 |
| 56th | $20,271 |
| 57th | $20,097 |
| 58th | $19,923 |
| 59th | $19,749 |
| 60th | $19,575 |
| 61st | $19,401 |
| 62nd | $19,227 |
| 63rd | $19,053 |
| 64th | $18,879 |
| 65th | $18,705 |
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