McIlroy chasing big prize money despite slipping down Travelers leaderboard

Rory McIlroy remains on course to take home a big chunk of prize money despite slipping down the leaderboard at the Travelers Championship.
The world number two is nine shots off leader Tommy Fleetwood in a tie for eighth at TPC River Highlands after a two-under par 68 on Saturday. However, with the top 11 pocketing $500,000 or more, McIlroy could earn another big cheque even if he doesn't reel in the leaders.
Fleetwood surged ahead with a three-stroke lead at the Travelers Championship, igniting hopes for his first-ever PGA Tour win.
The Brit delivered an impeccable round of 63, complete with five birdies and an eagle on the 13th, catapulting him to 16 under par. This places him ahead of American duo Russell Henley and Keegan Bradley as they gear up for Sunday's finale at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut.
This dynamic performance marks Fleetwood's best PGA Tour round this year – surpassing his 65 at last month's Truist Championship in Philadelphia by two strokes and coming tantalisingly close to beating his personal best ever.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Fleetwood acknowledged the multiple factors that winning hinges on and said, "It (winning) will come down to a bunch of things.
"I haven't been in contention much at all this year, I've been on the outskirts if you like.
"My best finishes have been just outside of being in contention, but like really close. So to put myself there and be in the last group (on Sunday), I'm really happy with that.
"I've been here plenty of times, I'm looking forward to it. I'm happy with the work I've done and happy I've bounced back for the first few days of this tournament from last week (US Open).
"It's just an amazing opportunity for me to go out and enjoy it, and hopefully it's our time."
Should he triumph, Fleetwood's victory would be well-received since he currently holds the most top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour since 1983 without securing a title.
The elusive victory came into view on a peculiar day when overnight leaders Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas fell behind, despite Fleetwood's total of 41 - seven more than the second man, Brett Quigley, on that list.
World number one Scheffler had a rough start with a triple bogey seven at the first hole and seemed off his game for most of the day.
Scheffler ended up with a double bogey at the eighth and further losses at the fourth and 16th, finishing with a 72, nine shots behind Fleetwood at nine under par.
Thomas completed the round in 73, his scorecard marred by a quadruple bogey nine at the 13th, leaving him 10 shots adrift at six under.
American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley surged into contention with a 63, joining Henley, who shot 61, on 13 under par. Jason Day is two shots further back.
Rory McIlroy made a strong start, covering the outward nine in 31 to move to nine under par and secure a high position on the leaderboard.
However, the Masters champion stumbled with a six at the par-four 12th, and although he managed a birdie at the 15th, it was quickly negated by a dropped shot at the next hole.
Travelers Championship prize money
Winner: $3.6 million
2: $2.16 million
3: $1.36 million
4: $960,000
5: $800,000
6: $720,000
7: $670,000
8: $620,000
9: $580,000
10: $540,000
11: $500,000
12: $460,000
13: $420,000
14: $380,000
15: $360,000
16: $340,000
17: $320,000
18: $300,000
19: $280,000
20: $260,000
21: $240,000
22: $223,000
23: $207,500
24: $190,000
25: $175,000
26: $159,000
27: $152,500
28: $146,000
29: $140,000
30: $134,000
31: $128,500
32: $122,500
33: $116,500
34: $111,000
35: $106,500
36: $101,500
37: $96,500
38: $92,500
39: $88,500
40: $84,000
41: $80,000
42: $76,000
43: $72,000
44: $68,000
45: $64,000
46: $60,000
47: $56,000
48: $53,000
49: $50,000
50: $49,000
51: $48,000
52: $47,000
53: $46,000
54: $46,000
55: $45,500
56: $45,000
57: $44,500
58: $43,500
59: $43,000
60: $42,500
61: $41,500
62: $41,000
63: $40,500
64: $40,000
65: $39,500
66: $39,000
67: $38,000
68: $37,500
69: $38,000
70: $37,500
71: $37,000
72: $36,000

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