Xander Schauffele’s recent triumph at the PGA Championship in Kentucky has catapulted him into the upper echelons of the professional golf world, as he clinched his inaugural major title. The substantial increase in prize money for the event, amounting to an additional $1 million from the previous year, meant that the top 10 finishers each received over $500,000 in earnings.
Schauffele’s impressive performance at Valhalla Golf Club culminated in a sizeable $3.3 million payout, a testament to the substantial rise in first-place prize money. His clutch birdie putt on the final hole of the tournament contributed significantly to his winnings, adding nearly $1.4 million to his total earnings. The second-place finisher, Bryson DeChambeau, also reaped the rewards of his stellar performance, walking away with $1.998 million in winnings.
Viktor Hovland, who secured third place, joined the ranks of millionaires as a result of this single event, earning a commendable $1.258 million. The overall purse for this year’s PGA Championship reached a record-breaking $18.5 million, guaranteeing that even the lowest-ranked player received a minimum of $22,100 for completing all 72 holes.
The substantial financial rewards at this prestigious event underscore the PGA Championship’s reputation as one of the most lucrative tournaments in the golfing world. Each of the top 10 finishers, including Scottie Scheffler, who claimed eighth place, were rewarded handsomely, with payouts exceeding half a million dollars.
It is worth noting that Scheffler’s earnings from the Masters were relatively modest in comparison to other golf events, despite his impressive performance. While he received $3.6 million for his victory at the Masters, he garnered even larger sums of $4.5 million and $4 million for triumphs at the Players Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, respectively.
Collin Morikawa and Thomas Detry, who finished in fourth place, also enjoyed a prosperous payday, with each of them earning a commendable $814,000. These generous financial incentives underscore the lucrative nature of professional golf and its rewards for top performers.
The PGA Championship’s total purse of $18.5 million, albeit slightly smaller than the Masters’ purse of around $20 million, emphasizes the high stakes and substantial winnings associated with major golf tournaments. The sizable increase in prize money and substantial earnings from the PGA Championship serve as a testament to the growing prominence of professional golf and the significant financial rewards it offers its players.