Ryann O’Toole has secured the biggest payday of her professional career without swinging a club in months. The 39-year-old LPGA Tour veteran officially clinched the 2026 Aon Risk Reward Challenge on Monday, taking home a $1 million bonus. This achievement comes as she awaits the birth of her first child, expected in January. Although O’Toole competed in her last event at the FM Championship in August, she had already secured the title before the season ended in September due to her strong earlier results.
The bonus program rewards players for their average score on designated risk-reward holes, which are typically par 5s. O’Toole built a commanding lead over the summer., as she posted 22 under par in her counting scores. No competitor could catch O’Toole with just two tournaments remaining in the challenge. Her decision to stop competing wasn’t just about protecting the lead; as her pregnancy progressed, playing became increasingly difficult. On the challenge holes, O’Toole struck 21 of 24 greens in regulation, achieving an 87.5 percent success rate that exceeded her overall season average of 65.5 percent. She recorded four eagles on the competition’s par-5 holes., and she never three-putted during her counting opportunities.
A Career-Best Season Defined by Distance
O’Toole transformed her game significantly this year, particularly on long holes. In 2025, she ranked 125th on the LPGA for par-5 scoring, but this year that figure climbed to 11th. A career-best average of 270.6 in driving distance contributed to this jump. The 15-year veteran has one career LPGA win, and her most lucrative season prior to this was 2024, when she won just over $629,000. Her total career earnings now stand at $4,706,355 following this week’s announcement. LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler highlighted the unique circumstances of the win. “A year after going back to Q-Series to earn her card, Ryann finished on top while playing a limited schedule, all while navigating her pregnancy and supporting her brother in his recovery from a severe accident. That’s really special golf,” Kessler said, according to ESPN.
Anne Corona, Aon’s CEO of North America, noted that the performance demonstrated high-level course management. “Ryann’s performance shows what better decision making looks like: understanding the risk, recognizing the opportunity and having the confidence to act when it matters most,” said Anne Corona, Aon’s CEO of North America. “We are proud to celebrate her as the newest Aon Risk Reward Challenge champion, and we wish Ryann and her partner, Gina, all the best as they prepare to welcome their first child.”
What the Bonus Means for O’Toole
For O’Toole, this victory carries emotional weight beyond the financial reward. She hasn’t competed since August, making the win feel even more significant to her. Speaking to Golfweek about the potential payday in October, O’Toole compared the magnitude of the achievement to major wins. The 39-year-old also reflected on the mental aspect of her game during this demanding year. “Sometimes the greatest rewards come from continuing to trust yourself,” she said in a statement announcing the award, according to Yahoo Sports.
O’Toole is expecting a baby boy in January, and the $1 million bonus will come in handy for the growing family. O’Toole demonstrated the precision needed to win even after stepping away from the tour by hitting 21 of 24 greens in regulation on these specific holes. The season ended in September for O’Toole, but the impact of her 2026 campaign will be felt for years to come.
