Arnold Palmer Invitational purse: Adam Scott, Matt Every playing for $1.16 million payout

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is held in high regard, with some going so far as to call it the best non-major event of the season. It does not draw the quality field that the big money WGC events get, but it may be the best full-field tournament of the year.

But even with that esteem, the API at Bay Hill has an average to below-average purse when it comes to the regular PGA Tour events these days. Granted, it’s a lot more than Arnold Palmer ever made for winning anything, but the $6.2 million purse is on the lower side. The winner, however, still takes home the usual $1-plus million check, and as we hit the finishing stretch, it looks like a battle between Adam Scott and Matt Every for that $1,116,000 winner’s prize.

The consolation cash isn’t too bad either should Scott or Every manage to finish 1-2 at Palmer’s place. The second-place finisher takes home $669,600 if he’s the solo runner-up. The money for Scott, who has $41.14 million in career earnings, is secondary at this point. A win would almost ensure his spot as the No. 1 player in the world by the time the Masters teed off in two-plus weeks. Every, on the other hand, has never won on the PGA Tour and never played at the Masters. A $1.16 million day would be a career achievement for the Florida native, who has $5.333 million in career earnings.

UPDATE: Every held on to outlast Scott, who fell apart down the stretch, and Keegan Bradley, who missed a birdie putt on the 18th that would have tied it. The winner’s check at Bay Hill is more than Every has won in an entire season during his previous years on the PGA Tour. The final payout amounts: