Daniel Berger withdrew from the 2016 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday after hitting just one shot, his tee ball off the first hole. For flying into town and doing just that, Berger earned $50,500, the money for last place in the 61-player field.
So, what gives?
Well, Berger qualified for the event but had a shoulder injury. However, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational doesn't have alternates -- you either meet the qualifying criteria or you don't. The tournament also has no cut, meaning a player gets money if they hit even a single shot. So, that's what Berger did, pocketing the money and withdrawing.
Berger, who won the FedEx St. Jude Classic the week before the U.S. Open for his first PGA Tour win, actually earned more than he normally would have in other years. Since the European Tour chose not to co-sanction this event, preferring to give deference to the 100th French Open, some 15 players who qualified for the event didn't show up at Firestone Country Club. More Berger bucks.
Berger also isn't the only player to pull out of the event on Thursday with an injury. U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III pulled out with a hip injury that will lead to season-ending surgery, while Brooks Koepka withdrew after 13 holes with an ankle injury.
