Fat Perez, Riggs and Bobby Ray Win the 2026 Internet Invitational, Splitting $4 Million

admin · November 12, 2026 · 4 min read

Three golfers celebrating with a trophy on a golf green at sunset at Big Cedar Lodge after winning the 2026 Internet Invitational

Fat Perez, Sam “Riggs” Bozoian and Bobby Ray won the 2026 Internet Invitational on Thursday, beating Team Big John 5 & 3 in the 18-hole alternate-shot final at Payne’s Valley, Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. The victory, shown in the finale episode released at 1 p.m. ET on YouTube, earned each winner about $1.3 million from the tournament’s $4 million purse, plus a Tracker boat from Bass Pro Shops.

A decisive finish at Payne’s Valley

Team Fat Perez, playing as the Blue team, never trailed in the final. The trio built a steady lead over the front nine and closed the match out with three holes still to play, winning 5 & 3 against Big John, former NHL player Ryan Whitney and Salim Sirur, the Red team. They had shown the same form in Monday’s semifinal, finishing two over par, two shots clear of their final opponents.

Fat Perez, whose real name is Nick Stubbe, is the strongest player in the Bob Does Sports crew and a former accountant who left office work in 2022 to join the channel full time. Riggs is a Barstool Sports personality and co-host of the Fore Play golf podcast. Bobby Ray, known for his prodigious length off the tee, was one of the breakout performers of the series after a shaky start in the early episodes.

From 64 players to one final

The 2026 field began with 64 creators, former professional athletes and entertainers, drafted into four teams of 16 and filmed over eight days, August 10 to 17, at Big Cedar Lodge. The field was cut from 64 to 32, then to 16, across two days at Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge, leaving six players for the final day at Payne’s Valley. All six came from Team Ruffels, the only original team still standing, and were split into two three-man teams by the committee.

The event was hosted by Barstool owner Dave Portnoy, who also served as rules commissioner alongside Big Cat and former PGA Tour player Kevin Kisner. The Hershey Company sponsored a $500,000 hole-in-one prize on the Reese’s hole each day of competition.

Why it matters

The Internet Invitational is now the flagship event of YouTube golf, where creators command audiences that rival traditional broadcasts. The 2026 edition quadrupled the first year’s prize money, from $1 million to $4 million. Creator-led entertainment dominated the week across sports and film, from Stephen Curry’s injury absence from the Golden State Warriors to the trailer for Pixar’s Gatto, and the golf finale showed the same crossover pull.

Latest developments

The finale is now on the Fore Play Golf, Bob Does Sports and Internet Invitational YouTube channels. Portnoy has confirmed the tournament will return annually, and the 2026 edition could follow the first onto Fox Sports 1 and the Fox One app. The 2025 event was won by Brad Dalke, Francis Ellis and Cody “Beef” Franke, who split $1 million; Franke died the day before that series aired.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the 2026 Internet Invitational?

Fat Perez, Sam “Riggs” Bozoian and Bobby Ray, known as Team Fat Perez. They beat Team Big John — Big John, Ryan Whitney and Salim Sirur — 5 & 3 in the 18-hole alternate-shot final at Payne’s Valley.

How much did the winners take home?

Each winner received about $1.3 million from the $4 million total purse, and the team also received a Tracker boat from Bass Pro Shops.

Where was the 2026 Internet Invitational played?

At Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri — early rounds at Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge, the semifinal and final at Payne’s Valley. It was filmed August 10 to 17, 2026, and released in six episodes from October 26 to November 12.

With the finale now public, attention turns to whether the 2026 edition follows the first into a television window on Fox Sports 1, and to who will be invited when the field is assembled for the third edition next year.