Masters Tournament Total Purse and Winner Share
The Masters Tournament, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, has a total prize purse of $20 million for the most recent edition, with the winner receiving $3.6 million, representing 18% of the purse. The purse has increased steadily over the past decade, reflecting the event's prestige and commercial growth. For context, the Masters is one of the four major championships in professional golf and operates on a limited, invitation-only basis, which supports its high per-player payout structure. The purse is funded primarily through tournament revenue, including television rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, with Augusta National keeping the event exclusive to maintain its brand value. Masters prize money details Forbes
Runner-up pay at the Masters is set at a fixed percentage of the winner's share, typically around 60%, so the second-place finisher earns roughly $2.16 million from the $3.6 million winner's check. The payout scale continues down the field, with cuts and minimum payouts ensuring that players who make the weekend receive a guaranteed share, while those who miss the cut may still earn a smaller consolation amount based on the tournament's distribution rules. The exact distribution percentages are determined by Augusta National and announced each spring, with the winner's share and total purse often cited in official tournament releases and major sports outlets. Masters official prize money release
Historical Trends and Comparison With Other Majors
Over the past decade, the Masters total purse has grown from around $10 million to the current $20 million, with the winner's share rising from approximately $1.8 million to $3.6 million, showing a near doubling of the top payout. This growth outpaces inflation and reflects the increasing commercial value of the four major championships in men's professional golf, including the Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship. The Masters maintains a relatively stable purse structure compared to some other majors, with a consistent percentage allocation to the winner, though the absolute dollar amounts have risen as the overall purse expands. Masters prize money Forbes 2024
Compared to the U.S. Open, which has a total purse of $21.5 million and a winner's share of $4.3 million in the most recent edition, the Masters winner's share is lower in absolute terms but remains among the highest in golf. The Open Championship and PGA Championship have similar or slightly higher total purses, but the Masters is unique in its private ownership and limited field, which supports a high per-player payout and a strong charitable component. The Masters Tournament donates a significant portion of its revenue to charity, with the Augusta National Golf Club and tournament organizers directing funds to local and national causes, a practice that differentiates it from some other major championships. US Open purse details
Distribution Rules and Player Payout Structure
The Masters uses a tiered payout structure where the winner receives the largest share, followed by the runner-up, then the top 10, top 20, and so on, with players who make the cut receiving a guaranteed minimum payout. The exact distribution percentages are not fully public, but the winner's 18% share and runner-up's roughly 60% of the winner's share are widely reported, with the remaining purse divided among the top finishers and those who