bossbird: if you qualify for the final round , but either chose not to compete in that final round ,or , can’t or don’t finish the round in the allocated time , are the prizes still paid out?
Yes. As you know, prizes go to everyone who makes the final round. There is no requirement that you play or finish the final round. If you do not play, you will be at the bottom of the leader board, but a prize is still awarded.
I know this to be true as, a few times I went away for a weekend, having started a showdown, and made into final round but did not play final round at all. I still received the prize.