
What Is a Golf Purse?
- Source of the Purse Money. Most of the purse money comes from the various television networks that broadcast PGA Tour events. ...
- Growth. The Forbes article noted that PGA Tour purses have grown “exponentially” since 1970. ...
- Winning Shares. Winners of PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour events receive 18 percent of the purse. ...
- Individual Events. ...
What is a purse in golf?
But the term actually refers to the pool of prize money available to golfers in a professional tournament. In North America, you’ll find the largest available purses on the PGA Tour. Most of the purse money comes from the various television networks that broadcast PGA Tour events.
Where does the purse money come from on the PGA Tour?
Most of the purse money comes from the various television networks that broadcast PGA Tour events. As of 2012, television rights money provides 60 percent of each tournament’s purse, according to an article in Forbes.
What is a'golf purse'?
Some retailers might be happy to sell you a woman’s purse (or a “man bag” for male golfers) -- perhaps with special compartments for tees or ball markers -- and call it a “golf purse.” But the term actually refers to the pool of prize money available to golfers in a professional tournament.
What percentage of the purse does the winner of a golf tournament?
On the Champions Tour (sometimes still known by its former name, the Senior Tour) and the LPGA Tour, the victor receives 15 percent of the purse. The European Tour reserves 16.67 percent of the purse for the winner.

Why are golf purses so high?
Golfers get paid so much because of sponsorships and tournament funds that are allocated to the tournament purse. Because of the attention to professional golf and the participation of brands and fans, there is quite a bit of money to give to the top players.
How much of the purse do golfers get?
The PGA Tour allocates 18 percent of a standard tournament's purse to the winner. The remainder of the top 10 finishers receives, in order, the following percentages of the purse: 10.8, 6.8, 4.8, 4, 3.6, 3.35, 3.1, 2.9 and 2.7.
What is the purse for the PGA?
This year's PGA Championship, which took place at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was no different, with the final championship purse being bumped up to a whopping $15 million total.
How is golf purse distribution?
The PGA Tour allocates 18 percent of a standard tournament's purse to the winner. The remainder of the top 10 finishers receives, in order, the following percentages of the purse: 10.8, 6.8, 4.8, 4, 3.6, 3.35, 3.1, 2.9 and 2.7.
Do golfers get paid if they miss the cut?
Golfers who don't make the cut do not get paid. When you see those players who are right on the edge of making the cut struggling to make that one last putt, it has everything to do with the fact that they want a chance to make it to the weekend.
What does Dustin Johnson's caddy make?
Since Austin Johnson joined his brother Dustin on the PGA Tour as his caddie in 2013, he's done quite well for himself. As a caddie, which typically receives a 10 percent commission for the golfer's tournament winnings, Austin Johnson has earned at a minimum $500,000 per year for six straight seasons.
How do pro golfers get paid after a tournament?
Professional Tour Player Professional golfers are paid a percentage of the purse for each tournament they play in and finish in the money. For example, the U.S. Open pays down to the 60th place finisher. Rory McIlroy won $1.4 million wining the US Open in 2011. The player in 60th place received a little over $17,000.
How do golf tournaments make money?
Sponsors pay a fee to you in exchange for their company's visibility at the golf event, programs and in any press materials. The fees should at least cover the cost of the golf course or greens fees. That way ticket sales are mostly profit.
Why did the Tiger Woods prize money increase?
The television contract is the main reason the prize money has increased over the years. It's the Tiger Woods effect. The sponsors of the tournament then contribute a significant portion. The gate is mostly used to donate money to a local charity at each weeks tour stop.
Is golf a good vehicle for advertisers?
Golf has a higher percentage of higher income households, so even though it doesn't attract as many fans it is a good vehicle for advertisers targeting higher income customers. There is a reason Beer companies sponser football games, and premium liquor companies sponser golf tournaments.
