Money in golf is getting a bit ridiculous lately. If you’ve looked at the earnings for PGA Championship players over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed the numbers aren't just creeping up—they’re exploding. We are talking about a total purse that hit $19 million in 2025 at Quail Hollow. To put that in perspective, back in 2020, the whole pot was $11 million. In just five years, the PGA of America found an extra $8 million to throw at the guys who make the cut.
Scottie Scheffler, the guy who seems to win everything lately, snagged a cool $3.42 million for his 2025 victory. It’s a lot of cash, but honestly, it’s kinda wild that a major championship winner still makes less than the winner of a regular PGA Tour "Signature Event." Those week-to-week tour stops like the Genesis Invitational or the Memorial now have $20 million purses, often paying the winner $4 million.
It makes you wonder if the "prestige" of the Wanamaker Trophy is starting to get overshadowed by the sheer size of the checks being written elsewhere.
The Massive Jump in Earnings for PGA Championship Purses
The financial arms race in professional golf is the real deal. When we talk about the earnings for PGA Championship history, the trajectory looks like a mountain climber.
For the longest time, the prize money grew at a steady, predictable pace. Then, the golf world split apart with the arrival of LIV Golf. Suddenly, the traditional tours and the major championships had to find ways to keep players happy and fans interested.
Look at how the total purse has shifted recently:
- 2022: $15 million
- 2023: $17.5 million
- 2024: $18.5 million
- 2025: $19 million
When you break it down, the winner takes home about 18% of the total. In 2025, that meant Scheffler didn't just get a trophy; he got a deposit that would buy a fleet of Ferraris. But it’s not just the winner who’s getting rich. Even the runner-ups are clearing seven figures now. At the 107th PGA Championship, the three guys who tied for second place—Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, and Davis Riley—each walked away with over $1.4 million.
Basically, if you finish in the top three, you’re having a career-defining financial week.
Why the 2026 Payout Matters Even More
As we move into 2026, the pressure is on the PGA of America to potentially hit the $20 million mark for the total purse. They haven't officially confirmed the number for the 2026 event at Aronimink Golf Club yet, as they usually wait until the week of the tournament to announce the final breakdown. However, everyone expects it to keep climbing.
If they hit $20 million, the winner’s share would likely jump to **$3.6 million**.
Why does this matter? Because the U.S. Open and the Masters have also been hiking their prices. The Masters purse reached $21 million in 2025, with Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler both benefiting from that massive $4.2 million winner's check. The PGA Championship has historically been the third-richest major, trailing the U.S. Open and the Masters but staying ahead of The Open (the British one).
What a "Middle of the Pack" Player Actually Makes
Most people focus on the winner, but the earnings for PGA Championship players who finish in 40th or 50th place tell a more interesting story about the professional grind.
If you finish 50th, you’re still looking at about $40,000. That sounds like a lot for four days of work, and it is. But remember, these guys are paying for caddies, travel, coaches, and taxes. A caddie usually takes 5-10% of the winnings. If you’re Rory McIlroy, $40k is pocket change. If you’re a PGA professional who qualified through the club pro rankings, that’s a life-changing week.
There is also a "participation prize" of sorts. Players who miss the cut at the PGA Championship typically receive around $4,000. It doesn't count toward the official money list, but it helps cover the hotel bill and the flight home. It’s a small consolation for playing two days of bad golf, but at least they aren't going into the red just to show up.
The Payout Breakdown: A Closer Look
Let’s be real—the gap between 1st and 10th is staggering. While the winner gets over $3.4 million, 10th place gets roughly **$520,000**. Still a massive payday, but it’s crazy how much value is weighted toward that top spot.
If you look at the 2025 leaderboard, the 15th-place finisher took home about $355,000.
By the time you get down to 70th place (the bottom of the guys who made the cut), you're looking at $24,000.
It’s a steep drop-off. One bad putt on Sunday could literally cost a player $50,000 or more in the middle of the pack. The pressure isn't just about the trophy; it’s about the mortgage.
Comparing the PGA Championship to the Rest of Golf
It is kind of funny to think that the earnings for PGA Championship wins are now being dwarfed by the PGA Tour’s own season-ending playoffs. The Tour Championship in 2026 is expected to have a $40 million purse, with a whopping $10 million going to the winner.
So, is the PGA Championship still a "big" deal?
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Absolutely. But the financial context has shifted. A win here gives a player a lifetime exemption into the tournament and a five-year pass to every other major. You can't put a price tag on that kind of job security.
Even if the LIV Golf guys like Brooks Koepka or Bryson DeChambeau are playing for $25 million purses every other week, they still show up to the PGA Championship because the history matters. And let’s be honest, $3.4 million is still $3.4 million. Nobody is turning that down.
Real Talk: Does the Money Ruin the Sport?
Some fans think the massive earnings for PGA Championship and other events are making the players less relatable. It’s hard to feel bad for a guy who "struggled" to a 40th-place finish when he still made more in a weekend than the average person makes in six months.
On the flip side, the talent level is higher than it’s ever been. These guys are athletes. They’re grinders. The money is just a reflection of how much revenue golf is generating through TV deals and sponsorships. As long as we keep watching, the checks will keep getting bigger.
Practical Takeaways for the Golf Obsessed
If you are following the money this season, here is what you actually need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Purse Announcement: The PGA of America usually drops the official 2026 prize money breakdown on the Friday or Saturday of tournament week. If it hits $20 million, it’s a milestone.
- Follow the "Top 10" Battle: The difference between finishing 9th and 11th is often $50,000 or more. The "meaningless" putts on the 18th hole on Sunday are rarely meaningless to the player's bank account.
- The Club Pro Story: Keep an eye on the 20 PGA Professionals in the field. If one of them makes the cut, they are playing for a year's worth of salary in a single weekend. That’s where the real drama is.
- FedEx Cup Points: Don't forget that earnings for PGA Championship finishes also come with 750 FedEx Cup points for the winner. Those points lead to the $40 million Tour Championship pot later in the year.
The landscape is changing fast. Whether you think the money is out of control or just a sign of the times, the PGA Championship remains one of the ultimate tests in the sport—and now, one of the ultimate paydays too.