If you’ve ever wondered how much professional golfers make, you’re not alone.
Top golfers are known to earn eye-popping sums of money, but the specifics of their earnings can be a bit of a mystery. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how much do professional golfers make, delving into the salaries of professional golfers on both the PGA Tour and the European Tour, as well as other golf circuits. We’ll also dive into the factors that influence golfer salaries, including endorsements and sponsorships, and compare the earnings of male and female golfers. Whether you’re a golf fan or simply curious about the economics of professional sports, this guide will provide valuable insights into the world of high-paid golf professionals. So grab your clubs and let’s tee off into the fascinating world of golfer salaries!
You might also be interested in our guide on Best Golf Rangefinders, which you can check out here.
Table of Contents
How Much Do Golf Players Make?
Globally, there are over 66 million individuals who engage in the sport of golf. However, out of this extensive group of players, only 175 exceptional players, along with those who meet specific requirements, are eligible to partake in the prestigious PGA Tour. These fortunate individuals have the potential to earn substantial sums of money annually, unless they experience setbacks such as injuries or a decline in their performance.
Every competitor who qualifies for a tournament will receive a portion of the prize money designated for that particular event. This amount is divided amongst all the players and distributed in separate portions.
Your share of the reward increases as you achieve better results in these golf tournaments. Golf, being primarily an individual sport, rightly offers incentives based on performance.
How much do pro golfers make per tournament?
| Player | PGA Tour Earnings | Endorsement Earnings | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Woods | $4,000,000 | $50,000,000 | $54,000,000 |
| Rory McIlroy | $3,500,000 | $30,000,000 | $33,500,000 |
| Dustin Johnson | $3,200,000 | $25,000,000 | $28,200,000 |
| Brooks Koepka | $3,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $23,000,000 |
| Justin Thomas | $2,800,000 | $18,000,000 | $20,800,000 |
| Jon Rahm | $2,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $17,500,000 |
| Jordan Spieth | $2,300,000 | $12,000,000 | $14,300,000 |
| Collin Morikawa | $2,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $12,000,000 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | $1,800,000 | $9,000,000 | $10,800,000 |
| Xander Schauffele | $1,600,000 | $8,000,000 | $9,600,000 |
Average Earnings per PGA Tour Tournament:
The average earnings per PGA Tour tournament can vary widely depending on a golfer’s performance, number of tournaments played, and overall skill level.
On average, many professional golfers may earn between $20,000 and $30,000 per tournament, considering the prize money distribution.
Highest Earnings for a PGA Tour Tournament in 2021:
In 2021, the highest earnings for a single PGA Tour tournament went to the winner of the tournament with the largest purse.
The highest prize money in a single event in 2021 was awarded at the “CJ Cup at Shadow Creek,” where the winner, Jason Kokrak, earned a first-place prize of $1,755,000.
What are the major golf tournaments?
- The Masters Tournament:
- The Masters is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments and is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club.
- The winner of The Masters in 2021 was Hideki Matsuyama, who earned $2,070,000 in prize money.
- U.S. Open:
- The U.S. Open is another major championship known for its substantial prize money.
- In 2021, the winner of the U.S. Open was Jon Rahm, who earned $2,250,000.
- The Open Championship (British Open):
- The Open Championship is one of the four major championships in golf.
- In 2021, the winner of The Open Championship was Collin Morikawa, and he earned £1,424,217 (approximately $1,970,000 at the time).
- PGA Championship:
- The PGA Championship is another major tournament on the golf calendar.
- In 2021, the winner of the PGA Championship was Phil Mickelson, who earned $2,160,000.
- The Players Championship:
- While The Players Championship is not a major, it offers one of the largest purses in professional golf.
- In 2021, the winner of The Players Championship was Justin Thomas, who earned $2,700,000.
Most prestigious golf tournaments
- The Masters Tournament: Known for its prestige, the winner of The Masters can earn several million dollars in prize money.
- U.S. Open: Another major championship with a substantial purse, the winner typically receives a multi-million-dollar prize.
- The Open Championship (British Open): One of golf’s oldest majors, the winner can earn several million dollars.
- PGA Championship: This major championship offers a significant prize purse to the winner.
- The Players Championship: Known for its large purse, the winner can take home several million dollars.
- FedEx Cup Playoffs: A series of events culminating in the Tour Championship, where the winner can earn a substantial prize, including a bonus for winning the FedEx Cup.
- WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational: Part of the World Golf Championships series, this event offers a high prize purse.
- WGC-Mexico Championship: Another World Golf Championships event with a substantial purse.
- BMW Championship: Part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, it offers a significant prize to the winner.
- CJ Cup: Known for its large prize money, the winner can earn millions of dollars.
- Memorial Tournament: Offers a substantial purse, and the winner can take home a significant prize.
- Arnold Palmer Invitational: Known for its history and prestige, the winner can earn a substantial prize.
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Offers a significant purse, and the winner can take home a large prize.
- Tour Championship: Part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, where the winner earns a substantial prize, including FedEx Cup bonus money.
- Sentry Tournament of Champions: Kicks off the calendar year, offering a substantial purse to the winner.
| Tournament | Prize Money Total (2021) | Defending Champion (2021) | Winner’s Prize Money (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters Tournament | Over $11 million | Dustin Johnson | Approximately $2.07 million |
| U.S. Open | Over $12 million | Bryson DeChambeau | Approximately $2.25 million |
| The Open Championship (British Open) | Over £8 million (approximately $11 million) | Shane Lowry | Approximately £1.5 million (approximately $2.08 million) |
| PGA Championship | Over $11 million | Phil Mickelson | Approximately $2.16 million |
| The Players Championship | Over $15 million | Justin Thomas | Approximately $2.7 million |
| FedEx Cup Playoffs | Varies by event | Patrick Cantlay (Tour Championship) | Up to $15 million (Tour Championship winner) |
| WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational | Over $10 million | Justin Thomas | Approximately $1.82 million |
| WGC-Mexico Championship | Over $10 million | Patrick Reed | Approximately $1.82 million |
| BMW Championship | Varies by year | Jon Rahm | Varies by year |
| CJ Cup | Over $9 million | Jason Kokrak | Approximately $1.755 million |
| Memorial Tournament | Over $9 million | Patrick Cantlay | Approximately $1.67 million |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Over $9 million | Bryson DeChambeau | Approximately $1.674 million |
| AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Over $7 million | Daniel Berger | Approximately $1.404 million |
| Tour Championship | Varies by FedEx Cup position | Patrick Cantlay | Up to $15 million (FedEx Cup winner) |
| Sentry Tournament of Champions | Over $6 million | Harris English | Approximately $1.34 million |
What Is The Golf Tournament With The Most Prize Money?
The Players Championship was known for having one of the highest prize purses in professional golf. The prize money for The Players Championship typically exceeded $15 million, making it one of the most lucrative tournaments in terms of total prize money. However, it’s important to note that prize money for golf tournaments can change from year to year, so I recommend checking the most recent information for up-to-date figures.
Other prestigious tournaments like The Masters, U.S. Open, and the Open Championship (British Open) also offered substantial prize money, often exceeding $10 million. These major championships are among the most prestigious and well-funded events in the golfing world.
The largest prize fund of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season amounted to $25 million, awarded at The Players Championship. This event took place from March 9-12 at TPC Sawgrass and saw Scottie Scheffler emerge as the champion.
Top 10 richest golfers
Tiger Woods
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Nike, TaylorMade, Rolex), course design projects, business ventures, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of $60 million to $70 million.
Phil Mickelson
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Callaway, KPMG, Amstel Light), course design projects, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of around $40 million.
Rory McIlroy
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Nike, TaylorMade), philanthropic efforts, and golf course design projects.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of approximately $30 million.
Dustin Johnson
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (TaylorMade, Hublot), tournament winnings, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of around $25 million.
Jordan Spieth
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Under Armour, Titleist, Coca-Cola), philanthropic work, and course design projects.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of approximately $25 million.
Justin Thomas
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Titleist, Polo Ralph Lauren), tournament winnings, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of around $20 million.
Brooks Koepka
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Nike, TaylorMade), tournament winnings, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of around $20 million.
Jon Rahm
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (TaylorMade, Mercedes-Benz), tournament winnings, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of approximately $20 million.
Bryson DeChambeau
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Cobra-Puma Golf, Bridgestone Golf), tournament winnings, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of around $20 million.
Xander Schauffele
- Sources of Income: Endorsements (Callaway, Adidas), tournament winnings, and appearance fees.
- Recent Earnings (as of 2021): Estimated annual earnings of approximately $15 million.
Let’s Wrap This Up!
Therefore, if you are wondering about the income of golf players, it is clear that they earn substantial amounts of money. Elite golfers can earn millions and millions, while lower-ranked players make slightly less. In any case, their earnings far exceed what I could ever make in several lifetimes.
Naturally, professional golfers are still required to use a portion of their earnings to cover expenses such as caddies, coaches, hotels, and travel. However, if given the opportunity, I would gladly exchange my own job for theirs at any given time.
If your children are still young, it is advisable to buy a junior golf set right away. You never know, your child could be the next Tiger Woods and you might not even realize it. So don’t be sad.
I’m Heorhii Rysak, a go-to sports enthusiast and blogger. My fascination with sports began in my childhood with karate, setting the foundation for my love of physical fitness. Over the years, I’ve delved into various disciplines, including martial arts and CrossFit, and developed a passion for tennis. I bring a wealth of practical experience to my blog, where I share equipment reviews, workout plans, and fitness advice. My goal is simple: to inspire and assist you in your journey toward better health and performance.