At the Masters, even missing the cut brings a payday unlike most other tournaments
Augusta National Golf Club/Getty Images
The Masters, as you are well aware, is a tournament unlike any other. The field, the traditions, the club, the course, the champions, the food, the prices — you get the picture. You’ve heard it all before.
But, have you heard about what they pay the guys who miss the cut?
The top 50 players and ties make the 36-hole Masters cut, so 54 of this year’s 84 participants earned weekend tee times. Usually, you have to play the weekend to make money. Not at the Masters. Augusta National actually pays out every professional, regardless if they make the cut. That doesn’t happen at regular PGA Tour tournaments, unless they are non-cut events like WGCs or the Tour Championship.
So what’s the haul for those players who miss the cut? They all get $10,000 each. Life-changing money for pro golfers? Absolutely not, and for some it might not even cover expenses for the week. But it’s still $10k for just showing up, and money these players wouldn’t get at most other tournaments.
The Masters, however, isn’t the only major that rewards players for just getting into the field, even if they miss the cut. The USGA handed out $10,000 to pros who missed the cut at the 2020 U.S. Open (same as ANGC), and the 2020 PGA Championship paid out $3,100 to pros who missed the cut. The 2019 Open Championship (the 2020 version was canceled) gave out either $7,500, $6,000 or $5,000, depending on finishes.
Curious how the Masters total purse compares to golf’s other major events? Click here to read more.