1x PGAT winner joins Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy's new team event as analyst

PGA Tour winner Smylie Kaufman joined Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the Optum Golf Channel Games. The world's top 2 players are preparing to compete in an exclusive team event, which is scheduled to take place on December 17 at the Trump National Golf Club in Florida.

Scheffler will be leading the one team while McIlroy will be leading the other. Kaufman had shared his excitement that he would also be part of the event on social media. He shared a post on an X (formerly Twitter) account with a caption:

"Pumped to be a part of the 🎤 team for the inaugural @GolfChannel Games event! This will be an exciting made for TV match with Scottie and @McIlroyRory having 3 other players on their teams"

Smylie Kaufman

@SmylieKaufman10

Pumped to be a part of the 🎤 team for the inaugural @GolfChannel Games event! This will be an exciting made for TV match with Scottie and @McIlroyRory having 3 other players on their teams. Check out the teams, format, and how to watch in person

The Optum Golf Channel Games will be available to watch on The Golf Channel and US Network starting at 7:30 a.m. EST. The tournament has five challenges, including Timed Drive Competition, Timed Short Game Competition, 14-Club Challenge, Timed Shootout, and Captain's Challenge.

Scottie Scheffler's team will consist of Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, and Luke Clanton, while Luke Donald, Shane Lowry, and Haotong Li joined McIlroy's team.

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Rory McIlroy earned $35 million in 2025

Rory McIlroy at the DP World Tour Championship 2025 - Day Four - Source: Getty

Rory McIlroy is enjoying a time away from the greens these days after an impressive season playing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in 2025. He has earned over $35 million. He earned $3.6 million after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, $4.5 million at The Players, and $4.2 million after winning the Masters.

Rory McIlroy also made a whopping amount from bonuses. He was awarded $6 million at the Comcast Business Tour Top 10 and then $7.5 million from the FedEx Cup playoff bonus. In addition to that, he earned $2 million in bonus after he topped the Race to Dubai standings. McIlroy settled in second place at the DP World Tour Championship and won $1.2 million.

Here are Rory McIlroy's earnings in 2025:

• Dubai Desert Classic: T4 ($461,243)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Won ($3,600,000)
• The Genesis Invitational: T17 ($270,714)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational: T15 ($349,000)
• The Players Championship: Won ($4,500,000)
• Texas Children's Houston Open: T5 ($337,843)
• The Masters: Won ($4,200,000)
• Zurich Classic of New Orleans: T12 ($69,092)
• Truist Championship: T7 ($602,500)
• PGA Championship: T47 ($49,190)
• RBC Canadian Open: MC ($0)
• US Open: T19 ($242,532)
• Travelers Championship: T6 ($695,000)
• Genesis Scottish Open: T2 ($788,175)
• The Open: T7 ($451,834)
• Comcast Business Tour Top 10: N/A ($6,000,000)
• BMW Championship: T12 ($441,000)
• Tour Championship: T23 ($395,000)
• FedEx Cup Playoffs Bonus Money: N/A ($7,500,000)
• Irish Open: Won ($1,020,000)
• BMW PGA Championship: T20 ($103,275)
• DP World India Championship: T26 ($35,656)
• Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: T3 ($505,000)
• DP World Tour Championship: 2nd ($1,260,000)
• Race to Dubai Bonus Pool: 1st ($2,000,000)