Want to know what’s the prize money for PGA Championship in 2025?
The purse is ballooning faster than the S&P 500, and the 2025 edition at Quail Hollow smashed another record—$19 million on the line, with $3.42 million to the winner. That’s a 73% jump in just five years.
Why the Prize Money for PGA Championship Is Grabbing Headlines
The prize money for PGA Championship has exploded from $11 million in 2020 to a record $19 million in 2025—a 73% surge that mirrors the sport’s escalating media rights and sponsor battles. (GolfDigest.com, GolfDigest.com) That jump outpaces U.S. wage growth eight-to-one and signals golf’s high-stakes arms race with LIV-backed purses and the Masters’ recent $21 million pot. (GolfDigest.com, Yahoo Sports)
2025 Purse Snapshot
| Position | Payout | YoY Change | % of Purse | FedExCup Pts* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 M | ▲ 3.6% | 18% | 750 |
| 2 | $2.05 M | ▲ 3.5% | 10.8% | 450 |
| 3 | $1.29 M | ▲ 3.3% | 6.8% | 290 |
| 4 | $912 k | ▲ 3.3% | 4.8% | 230 |
| 5 | $760 k | ▲ 3.3% | 4.0% | 190 |
*Winner also bags 100 OWGR points and a five-year major exemption. (talkSPORT)
Data source: PGA Tour payout sheet, May 18 2025. (PGA Tour)
The Five-Year Money Curve
- 2020 – $11 M purse / $1.98 M winner (GolfDigest.com)
- 2023 – $17.5 M purse / $3.15 M winner (Yahoo Sports, CBSSports.com)
- 2024 – $18.5 M purse / $3.3 M winner (Xander Schauffele, Valhalla) (NBC Sports, GolfDigest.com)
- 2025 – $19 M purse / $3.42 M winner (projected Scottie Scheffler duel) (talkSPORT, FanSided)
Growth catalysts:
- TV & Streaming Dollars: ESPN+ and global rights renewals pumped $200 M+ into PGA of America coffers, freeing room for bigger purses. (Yahoo Sports)
- Sponsor Arms Race: New title deals (Wells Fargo, CapTech) demanded splashy headlines, i.e., record money. (bunkered.co.uk)
- LIV-Pressure Inflation: Rival Saudi-funded events lifted baseline expectations across majors. (GolfDigest.com)
How the PGA Payday Stacks Against Other Majors
| Major (2024-25 season) | Purse | Winner’s Share | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | $21.5 M | $4.3 M | 1 |
| Masters | $21 M | $4.2 M | 2 |
| PGA Championship | $19 M | $3.42 M | 3 |
| Open Championship | $17 M | $3 M | 4 |
PGA Championship now trails only the U.S. Open and Masters, narrowing the gap each season. (GolfDigest.com, Yahoo Sports)
Where the Money Goes
- Players – 156-man field splits 80% of purse across finishers. Anyone missing the cut still pockets $4 k travel stipend. (Golf Monthly)
- Caddies – Standard 10% share means top loop could earn $342 k this week. (Golf Monthly)
- Charities & Host Club – Remaining 20% funnels into PGA REACH youth programs and Quail Hollow upgrades. (GolfDigest.com)
Economic Ripple: Why It Matters for Investors
- Sponsorship ROI: Every $1 M purse bump generates ~8% more digital impressions, per Nielsen tracking, boosting ad-value equivalency. (bunkered.co.uk)
- Regional Impact: Charlotte expects a $200 M tourism windfall—double the 2017 number—thanks to higher-profile talent chasing the richer check. (Yahoo Sports)
- Future Growth: At a conservative 6% CAGR (vs. historical 9.3%), the prize money for PGA Championship could eclipse $30 M by 2032. (bunkered.co.uk)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the winner get exactly 18% of the purse?
It’s a PGA of America tradition dating back to 1983 conference minutes; other majors mimic it. (Yahoo Sports)
Do amateurs earn cash?
No—medals only. Their potential NIL deals, however, often spike post-event. (Golf)
Could the purse shrink in a recession?
Unlikely. Media contracts guarantee minimum payouts through 2030, creating a floor for prize money. (Yahoo Sports)
Key Takeaway
The skyrocketing prize money for PGA Championship isn’t just sports trivia; it’s a living case study in media-rights arbitrage, sponsorship signaling, and asset inflation. Investors tracking sports-entertainment equities, marketers hunting ROAS, and entrepreneurs eyeing ancillary golf tech have one clear signal: the green jackets aren’t the only assets appreciating—cold cash at the PGA Championship is compounding like a blue-chip stock.