**2025 Barracuda Championship: Format, Prize Money, and Why It Matters**
While often overshadowed by The Open Championship, the **2025 Barracuda Championship** remains a vital stop for many PGA TOUR players. Held at the **Old Greenwood Course** in Tahoe, designed by Jack Nicklaus, this tournament offers rising talent a major platform — not only for a paycheck but for career-changing opportunities.
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Though it doesn’t feature the massive purses of premier TOUR events, the Barracuda’s prize pool has been steadily growing. From **\$3.5 million in 2021**, it rose to **\$4 million in 2022** and has remained there since. What makes this event distinct is its **Modified Stableford scoring system**, a format that rewards aggressive play — unlike traditional stroke play.
**Format and Schedule**
The tournament runs over four days and 72 holes. Players are split into morning and afternoon groups across the first two rounds. Each group plays one round starting from the 1st tee and another from the 10th. After 36 holes, only the top **65 players and ties**, based on Stableford points (not total strokes), advance to the weekend.
**Defending Champion**
**Nick Dunlap**, who made history in 2024 by winning PGA TOUR events both as an amateur (The American Express) and as a professional (Barracuda Championship), returns this year as the defending champion. His win last year earned him **\$720,000**, a pivotal achievement in his early career.
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**Prize Money Breakdown (Top 10)**
1. \$720,000
2. \$436,000
3. \$276,000
4. \$196,000
5. \$164,000
6. \$145,000
7. \$135,000
8. \$125,000
9. \$117,000
10. \$109,000
(*Full breakdown continues through 65th place*)
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**Beyond the Purse: What a Win Means**
Winning this tournament isn’t just about the money. The champion earns:
* **300 FedExCup points**
* **24.2 Official World Golf Ranking points** (subject to field strength)
* A **two-year PGA TOUR exemption**
* Entry into the **PGA Championship** and **The Players Championship**
These incentives make the Barracuda a critical gateway for players trying to break into the upper ranks of professional golf.
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**How to Watch**
* **U.S. coverage**: Golf Channel, Saturday & Sunday from **6:00 to 9:00 p.m. EDT**
* **UK coverage**: Sky Sports Golf, Saturday at **10:00 p.m. BST**, Sunday at **9:00 p.m. BST**
* **Streaming**: PGA TOUR Live via **ESPN+** and **Fubo**, including multi-camera views and real-time featured shots
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**Leaderboard Update**
After the first 11 holes, **Ben Martin** holds the lead, but with the Stableford format encouraging bold moves, the leaderboard is far from set.
The Barracuda Championship may fly under the radar for casual fans, but for many professionals, it represents one of the most significant and strategic opportunities of the season.