Key Takeaways
- 1Grant Horvat, Fat Perez (Bob Does Sports), and Big John won the 2026 Internet Invitational at Payne’s Valley in Branson, Missouri.
- 2The winning trio split the $4 million championship purse, earning each member roughly $1.33 million.
- 3The 2026 edition expanded to 64 players, the largest field in event history, mixing YouTube golf creators with mainstream athletes and celebrities.
- 4Big John sealed the title with a clutch pressure putt on the final green during the alternate-shot phase.
- 5The roster featured Jon Gruden, Johnny Manziel, Justin Gaethje, Paige Spiranac, Garrett Clark, and the full Good Good Crew.
The YouTube and creator golf landscape reached a massive milestone in Branson, Missouri, as Grant Horvat, Nick Stubbe (Fat Perez), and Big John officially claimed victory at the 2026 Internet Invitational, taking home the staggering $4 million championship purse.
Hosted at Payne's Valley, the high-stakes tournament expanded its field to 64 creators, professional athletes, and digital personalities. The trio navigated a multi-day gauntlet of scramble matches, alternate-shot duels, and clutch pressure putts to secure the title, capping what is now the most ambitious edition of the event yet.
Championship Summary | Format, Purse, and the Winning Team
The 2026 tournament featured an expanded format, splitting 64 players into four major teams before narrowing the field down to the final championship trio. The structure rewarded both raw ball-striking and short-game nerve, with knockout-style pressure rounds deciding who advanced.
Star-Studded Field | The Biggest Names in the Tournament
The 2026 Invitational featured one of the most high-profile rosters in internet golf history, bringing together top content creators alongside mainstream sports figures and celebrities.
The Good Good Crew sent Garrett Clark and Bubbie Broders, while Bob Does Sports fielded Fat Perez, Joey Cold Cuts, Robby Berger (Bobby Fairways), and The Jet. The Fore Play / Barstool Sports contingent included Riggs, Frankie Borrelli, Trent Ryan, PFT Commenter, and Jersey Jerry.
Solo creator powerhouses Grant Horvat, Luke Kwon, Rick Shiels, Peter Finch, Roger Steele, Micah Morris, and Mac Boucher rounded out the YouTube golf core. For more on the channel that has become the center of gravity for creator golf, see the Good Good Golf revenue breakdown and the 2026 YouTube golf rankings.
The celebrity and athlete guests were just as heavy. Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel joined former NHL stars Paul "Biz" Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney of Spittin' Chiclets. From combat sports and entertainment, UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje, Dude Perfect's Tyler Toney, and Nelk Boys' Kyle Forgeard all competed.
The field also featured a strong slate of female golf influencers, including Paige Spiranac, Claire Hogle, Tisha Alyn, Hailey Rae Ostrom, and Cassandra Meyer, continuing the trend of golf's biggest social media personalities competing in creator events.
How the Championship Was Won | The Clutch Putt That Sealed $1.33 Million
Representing Team Ryan Ruffels (Team White), the trio of Grant Horvat, Fat Perez, and Big John provided the decisive points needed to advance through the high-pressure knockout rounds.
The turning point arrived during the alternate-shot phase, where Big John sank a clutch pressure putt on the final green to seal the match. Horvat's ball-striking combined with Fat Perez's legendary short game proved to be the ultimate winning formula, earning each member of the winning trio roughly $1.33 million. Watch the closing sequence in the winning putt highlight from the tournament broadcast.
For a deeper look at the champion's rise from amateur standout to one of the most followed names in digital golf, read the Grant Horvat creator profile, or follow the broader creator golf story in the Brad Dalke Rocket Classic coverage.
What the $4 Million Purse Means for Internet Golf
A $4 million purse for a creator event is a statement. It confirms that the internet invitation model has moved from novelty to a legitimate revenue engine, with sponsor money now flowing to events that can guarantee both competitive golf and a global digital audience.
The expanded 64-player field also signals that organizers see room to grow. With mainstream athletes, UFC fighters, and top golf influencers all competing for the same prize money, the line between creator golf and professional entertainment golf continues to blur.
Full match coverage is available in the official Internet Invitational YouTube channel, and tournament details and leaderboards can be tracked on the Internet Invitational official site.
For more creator golf coverage, browse the InfluencerNewsNow golf hub or the YouTube news section.