In 2019, the Masters released the richest purse in tournament history: $11.5 million. And for both the 2020 November Masters and this year, 2021, that amount remains unchanged.
The winner of the 2021 Masters will receive a payout of $2,070,000, and even the runner-up will clear seven figures, with a payout of $1,242,000.
So how does Masters money compare to the other major tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule?
Masters money: Masters total purse, payout breakdown, winner’s share at Augusta National
It turns out, the richest event on the schedule isn’t a major at all — it’s the Players Championship, which paid out the largest purse in tournament history in March — a whopping $15 million, with $2.7 million going to winner Justin Thomas. This year’s payout was a significant increase from the last time the tournament was played in 2019, when the purse was still a hefty $12.5 million, and winner Rory McIlroy took home $2.25 million.
Next is the U.S. Open, which handed out $2.25 million of a $12.5 million purse to 2020 winner Bryson DeChambeau.
After the U.S. Open, the Masters is next with its $11.5 million purse, followed by the PGA Championship, which doles out $11 million. Collin Morikawa pocketed $1.98 million when he won in 2020.
The British Open was canceled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the $10,750,000 purse in 2019 makes it the lowest of the four major championships. Shane Lowry took home $1.935 million for winning at Royal Portrush in 2019.
