Cash kings: Aaron-Wooi Yik surpass RM1 million in season earnings
Despite falling short in the final, losing to Indonesia's Fajar Alfian-Shobihul Fikri, in Changzhou on Sunday, the runners-up finish earned Aaron-Wooi Yik a hefty US$70,000 (RM295,435), pushing their total prize money earnings this season to US$264,887.50 (RM1,117,957) — making them the first Malaysian shuttlers to surpass the RM1 million mark thus far this year.
It was also the second biggest payday of the season for the 2022 world champions, eclipsed only by the US$74,000 (RM312,317) they pocketed for winning the Singapore Open in June.
The pair's earnings from the China Open dwarfed the US$37,325 (RM157,530) they collected from lifting the Thailand Open title and the US$37,000 (RM156,158) from their Asia Championships triumph — both victories that came several months back.
This year's China Open carried a US$2 million (RM8,440,998) prize purse, matching the elevated amount introduced in 2023 and maintained for three successive editions.
It remains the second most lucrative event on the BWF World Tour calendar after the season-ending World Tour Finals, which boasts a US$2.5 million pot (RM10,551,250)
The China Open's prize money still surpasses that of other Super 1000 tournaments such as the Malaysia Open, All England and Indonesia Open, each offering US$1.45 million.
While Aaron-Wooi Yik lead the pack, women's doubles world No. 3 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are not far behind with US$206,317.50 (RM871,072) in prize money collected so far this season.
The ever-reliable world No. 3 Pearly-Thinaah continued their strong form in Changzhou, reaching the semi-finals and pocketing a cool US$28,000 (RM118,174) for their efforts.
It was another solid result to add to a season that includes several lucrative finishes — US$50,750 (RM214,190) and US$33,250 (RM140,331) for finishing runners-up at the Indonesia Open and Japan Open respectively, as well as US$37,525 (RM158,374) for winning the Thailand Open.
Next on the list are world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who have quietly put together an impressive year.
They have amassed US$146,143.75 (RM617,018), helped by their title wins at the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters.
World No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, the winners of India Open and runners-up of Japan Open, round off the top four earners with US$133,593.75 (RM564,099).
With the business end of the season fast approaching, including the Denmark Open, French Open, China Masters and the season-ending World Tour Finals, the race for bigger paydays is far from over.
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