Golf Tournament Payout Calculator
Golf is not just a sport; it’s a big money maker for top players. To give you an idea, Scottie Scheffler won an amazing $21,014,342 in the latest PGA Tour season. This is way more than the $1.6 million average each player earned in the 2021-22 season.
Over 200 players made more than $100,000, and 126 of them surpassed $1 million. Such high prizes let the best golfers travel a lot and play in many high-stakes matches. But it’s not just about winning; players have to share their earnings with their caddies too, who get a cut of 5-10% along with extra tips.
Key Takeaways
- Top PGA Tour professionals can earn over $20 million in a single season through tournament payouts.
- The PGA Tour average earnings per player was $1.6 million in the 2021-22 season.
- Over 200 players on the PGA Tour earned more than $100,000, and 126 earned over $1 million.
- Caddies are a significant expense for professional golfers, typically earning 5-10% of a player’s winnings.
- The high earnings potential in golf allows the best players to compete at the highest level.
Understanding Golf Tournament Purse Structures
PGA Tour Payout Percentages
The PGA Tour follows a set plan to split prize money at its tourneys. The champ usually gets 18.000% of the total prize. Then, the shares get smaller for those who place lower. For instance, the runner-up might take 10.9%, and the third-place finisher about 6.9%. This system is the norm for many PGA Tourneys, including the big four.
Major Tournament Payouts
The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and Open Championship are top-earning events. In 2024, the Masters could have a $20 million prize. The winner might take home $3.6 million. The PGA Championship’s 2024 purse is noted as $18.5M, with similar percentages. For the 2024 U.S. Open, a $21.5M purse was mentioned. The champ could earn $4.3 million from it. The Open Championship purse hasn’t been confirmed, but the 2023 event awarded $3 million to the winner from a $16.5 million purse.
Breaking Down the Prize Money
Top Earners on the PGA Tour
The top PGA Tour players make a lot of money. For example, in 2022-23, Scottie Scheffler earned over $21 million. This was the most anyone has ever earned in a year. Despite this being a record amount, 126 players made over $1 million each in the 2021-22 season.
Caddie Compensation
Caddies are key to a player’s success on the PGA Tour. They make between $1,500 and $3,000 a week. They also get a portion of the player’s earnings, often 5-10%, based on how well the player does. On top of this, players usually give their caddies tips. For golfers, the cost of hiring a caddie is a big part of their expenses.
golf tournament payout
Signature Events and Their Lucrative Prizes
The PGA Tour not only has major championships but also big “signature” events. The Players Championship has a $25 million purse with a first-place prize of $4.5 million. The Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational offer alike, each with a $20 million purse and $4 million for the first place. The Memorial Tournament also has a $20 million purse and a $4 million first-place prize.
FedEx Cup Playoff Tournaments
The FedEx Cup playoffs mark the end of the PGA Tour season. The FedEx St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship offer $20 million and a $4 million first-place prize. The Tour Championship ends the playoffs with a $75 million bonus pool. The first-place prize here is $18 million.
| Tournament | Purse | Winner’s Payout |
|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | $25 million | $4.5 million |
| U.S. Open | $21.5 million | $4.3 million |
| PGA Championship | $18.5 million | $3.3 million |
| Masters | $20 million | $3.6 million |
| FedEx St. Jude Championship | $20 million | $4 million |
| BMW Championship | $20 million | $4 million |
| Tour Championship | $75 million (bonus pool) | $18 million |
The Varying Purses of PGA Tour Events
Players-Hosted Signature Events
Besides the PGA Tour’s signature events, many player-hosted tournaments offer large purses. For instance, the Genesis Invitational features a $20 million purse with a $4 million top prize. The Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial Tournament also have similar purses and first-place prizes.
Opposite-Field Events
Alongside prestigious tournaments, the PGA Tour holds “opposite-field” events. They usually have smaller purses, from $4 million to $9.5 million. Winners can take home between $720,000 and $1.71 million from these events.
| Event | Purse | Winner’s Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis Invitational | $20 million | $4 million |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | $20 million | $4 million |
| Memorial Tournament | $20 million | $4 million |
| Puerto Rico Open | $4 million | $720,000 |
| Corales Puntacana Championship | $4 million | $720,000 |
| Byron Nelson PGA | $9.5 million | $1.71 million |
Conclusion
Golf offers big money, especially for PGA Tour stars. These pros can make millions through major events. This allows them to play their best and earn huge salaries. A caddie’s fee can reduce their paycheck, though.
The promise of major rewards keeps drawing the best players to golf. The Memorial Tournament, for example, offers a $20 million total prize. The champion wins $4 million, and several players get a share, highlighting golf’s allure.
Even if you’re not first, there’s still chance to earn well on the PGA Tour. The 2024 RBC Canadian Open winner got almost $1.7 million. Prizes are good down the list, helping top players improve the game and entertain everyone worldwide.
FAQ
How much do the top golfers on the PGA Tour typically earn in tournament payouts?
The top earners on the PGA Tour make huge sums. In the 2022-23 season, Scottie Scheffler won over $21 million. Additionally, in the 2021-22 season, 126 players earned more than $1 million.
How are prize money distributions structured on the PGA Tour?
The PGA Tour follows a certain way to give out prize money. The champion gets 18% of the total earnings. The share gets smaller as you go down the list. For example, the second-place player gets 10.9%, and the third earns 6.9%.
What are the prize purses and winnings for the major golf championships?
The biggest events in golf offer the most money. In 2024, the Masters expects to have a $20 million prize, with the winner getting $3.6 million. The PGA Championship will offer an $18.5 million purse, giving $3.3 million to the champion. The U.S. Open has a $21.5 million purse, and the winner will take home $4.3 million.
How much do caddies earn on the PGA Tour?
Caddies are very important to golfers in the PGA Tour. They usually make between $1,500 and $3,000 each week. They also get a cut from the player’s wins, which can be 5-10%.
What are some of the PGA Tour’s “signature” events with the largest prize purses?
The PGA Tour has some very big events each year. For instance, the Players Championship boasts a $25 million purse with $4.5 million to the winner. The Genesis Invitational offers a $20 million purse, with $4 million going to the champion. The Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial Tournament also have $20 million purses and offer $4 million first-place prizes.
What are the prize purses and winnings for the FedEx Cup playoffs?
The FedEx Cup playoffs are exciting and offer a lot of money. Two of the events have $20 million to win, with $4 million prizes. The Tour Championship, where the season’s winner is decided, features a $75 million bonus, with $18 million for the champion.
What are the differences in prize purses between the PGA Tour’s “signature” events and the “opposite-field” events?
Alongside the big tournaments, the PGA Tour has “opposite-field” events. They have smaller purses, between $4 million and $9.5 million. Winners of these events can earn from $720,000 to $1.71 million.
Source Links
- https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/prize-money-payouts-pga-tour-tournaments-2024-season/
- https://www.easyofficepools.com/pga-tour-payout-percentages-and-projected-earnings/
- https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/pga/pga-tour-tournament-prize-money-payout-list-bm10/
- https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2024-u-s-open-prize-money-purse-payouts-for-every-golfer-from-record-21-5-million-pool-at-pinehurst/
- https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/2024/05/19/pga-championship-payout-2024-prize-money-purse/73647230007/
- https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/06/03/purse-breakdown-the-memorial-presented-by-workday-muirfield-village-prize-money-payouts-how-much-earn-signature-event
- https://golf.com/news/2024-memorial-tournament-purse-payout-info/