The PGA Tour is the most prestigious and popular golf tour and has the financial muscle to prove it. In the 2019-2020, the total prize money offered by the tour was $430,050,000 over the 50 official tournaments. The following are the 10 biggest purses on the PGA Tour.
1. Tour Championship
Purse: $46,000,000
Winner’s Share: $15,000,000
Coming at the end of the FedExCup Playoffs, the biggest award goes to the winner of the Tour Championship who is simultaneously crowned FedExCup champion.
2. The Players Championship
Purse: $15,000,000
Winner’s Share: $2,700,000
The Players Championship is known as the “5th major” and has the purse to prove it.
3. U.S. Open
Purse: $12,500,000
Winner’s Share: $2,250,000
Famed for the difficult course conditions, this major championship has a hefty $12,500,000 purse.
4. The Masters
Purse: $11,500,000
Winner’s Share: $2,070,000
Augusta National’s genteel course is known for its cheap eats for the tiny few who get tickets to the Masters each year. Despite not price gouging on the pimento cheese, the Masters still manages the 4th biggest purse on the PGA Tour.
5. PGA Championship
Purse: $11,000,000
Winner’s Share: $1,980,000
The PGA Championship is one of the 4 majors and the last American-based major to make the list, rounding out the top-5.
6. The Open Championship
Purse: $10,750,000
Winner’s Share: $1,935,000
The world’s oldest major championship plays exclusively on the classic links courses of Britain and Northern Ireland, and boasts an impressive winner’s share of nearly $2 million.
T7. WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational
Purse: $10,500,000
Winner’s Share: $1,785,000
When the World Golf Championship series began, they wanted to attract a field from around the world that would reflect the prestige of a major championship, and with very large purses they have managed just that.
T7. WGC-Mexico Championship
Purse: $10,500,000
Winner’s Share: $1,785,000
Technically in a tie for 7th, the WGC-Mexico Championship reflects the international flavor of the World Golf Championship.
9. WGC-HSBC Champions
Purse: $10,500,000
Winner’s Share: $1,745,000
Held in China, the WGC-HSBC Champions is the most profitable tournament in Asia. The tournament has an identical purse as the WGC-Mexico Championship and the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, but features a slightly smaller winner's share
10. WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play
Purse: $10,250,000
Winner’s Share: $1,745,000
Finishing out the top-10 is the 4th and final WGC event, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play is also the only match play event to crack the top-10.
About The Author
Ryan Watson is a freelance sportswriter and history professor. He has been an avid fan of golf since his father signed him up for golf camp as a young child. Ryan enjoys following the professional game and learning about new equipment and gadgets.