Wednesday, September 16, 2026

The Masters Increases Purse to Record $21M, First Place to $4.2M

That’s up from the $20 million last year and $18 million in 2023. Sunday’s winner will receive $4.2 million.

The Masters
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Masters Tournament will pay out a record $21 million in prize money this year, Augusta National Golf Club announced Saturday.

That’s up from the $20 million last year and $18 million in 2023. Sunday’s winner will receive a $4.2 million first-place prize, which represents a significant bump from the $3.6 million that Scottie Scheffler earned a year ago for clinching his second Green Jacket. In 2023, Jon Rahm won $3.24 million.

This year’s Masters purse total and first-place prize still remains behind the 2024 U.S. Open, which paid out $21.5 million, including $4.3 million to its winner, Bryson DeChambeau.

England’s Justin Rose topped the leaderboard after Friday at eight strokes under par, one stroke ahead of DeChambeau and two ahead of Rory McIlroy and Corey Conners.

The Masters stays ahead of last year’s PGA Championship ($18.5 million) and Open Championship ($17 million). Xander Schauffele won both of those titles, earning $3.3 million at Valhalla Golf Club in the U.S. and $3.1 million at Royal Troon in Scotland. Both of those tournaments are expected to slightly increase their total purses later this year, too, as is the U.S. Open.

The PGA Tour’s flagship event, the Players Championship, still has the highest purse in golf at $25 million. McIlroy earned $4.5 million for winning this year’s event, the same amount Scottie Scheffler took home in 2024.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh: ‘I Don’t Necessarily Agree’ With PE in Youth Sports

“They’re always gonna be looking for those returns.”

ABC Draws Record 3.2M Viewers for US Open Men’s Final

Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton to claim his second Grand Slam title.
Jason Robins Front Office Sports

DraftKings CEO Fires Back at Headline Calling Company ‘Struggling’

“We’re doing great,” Jason Robins said in response to the article.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/16/26 – Silver Talks Clippers Fallout, Ole Miss Braces for Kiffin Return, Novig CEO on Sweeney Backlash

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”

Networks Get Mixed Results With Week 1 NFL Viewership

CBS sees some viewership attrition, while NBC rebounded on Sunday night.
September 15, 2026

PGA’s 2028 Changes Include Money Exemption—but No LIV Pathway

The top 50 members on the Tour’s career money list are eligible.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver during the 2026 NBA draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
September 15, 2026

Adam Silver: It Would Be a ‘Failure’ If Trail Blazers Left Portland

Silver spoke after the NBA Board of Governors meetings in New York.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Jan 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (9) gets set during a face off in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena
September 15, 2026

NHL’s Eleventh-Hour Scramble to Lock In 8-Year Deals

Teams are pushing to sign players to max-length contracts before terms drop.
September 15, 2026

Gotham FC Co-Owner Supports Both ‘Rodman Rule’ and Salary Cap

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett emphasized the importance of star power and parity.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 7, 2026.
September 14, 2026

Clippers Controversy Hangs Over NBA Board of Governors Meeting

Adam Silver is expected to hold a press conference Tuesday.
September 14, 2026

NFL Kickoff Ratings Dip on Wednesday

Viewership surprisingly fell for the NFL’s season opener.