John Deere Classic prize money history
Winning the John Deere Classic paid $630,000 in 2003, which is $1,146,942 at August 2026 prices. In 2026 it paid $1,584,000. On the face of the cheque that is 2.51 times as much. In real terms it is 1.39 times as much, 1.5% a year after inflation.
Every John Deere Classic winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Chris Gotterup | $1,584,000$1.6m | $1,599,880$1.6m | $1.01 |
| 2025 | Brian Campbell | $1,512,000$1.5m | $1,573,228$1.6m | $1.04 |
| 2024 | Davis Thompson | $1,440,000$1.4m | $1,537,737$1.5m | $1.07 |
| 2023 | Sepp Straka | $1,332,000$1.3m | $1,464,360$1.5m | $1.10 |
| 2022 | J.T. Poston | $1,278,000 | $1,462,830$1.5m | $1.14 |
| 2021 | Lucas Glover | $1,116,000 | $1,379,628$1.4m | $1.24 |
| 2019 | Dylan Frittelli | $1,080,000 | $1,415,093$1.4m | $1.31 |
| 2018 | Michael Kim | $1,044,000 | $1,392,710$1.4m | $1.33 |
| 2017 | Bryson DeChambeau | $1,008,000 | $1,377,529$1.4m | $1.37 |
| 2016 | Ryan Moore | $864,000 | $1,205,893 | $1.40 |
| 2015 | Jordan Spieth | $846,000 | $1,195,666 | $1.41 |
| 2014 | Brian Harman | $846,000 | $1,197,085 | $1.41 |
| 2013 | Jordan Spieth | $828,000 | $1,190,621 | $1.44 |
| 2012 | Zach Johnson | $828,000 | $1,208,060 | $1.46 |
| 2011 | Steve Stricker | $810,000 | $1,206,255 | $1.49 |
| 2010 | Steve Stricker | $792,000 | $1,216,679 | $1.54 |
| 2009 | Steve Stricker | $774,000 | $1,208,531 | $1.56 |
| 2007 | Jonathan Byrd | $738,000 | $1,192,307 | $1.62 |
| 2006 | John Senden | $720,000 | $1,196,357 | $1.66 |
| 2005 | Sean O'Hair | $720,000 | $1,234,949 | $1.72 |
| 2003 | Vijay Singh | $630,000 | $1,146,942 | $1.82 |
Today's money restates each cheque for the rise in US consumer prices from the year it was paid to August 2026. The last column is what one dollar that year buys today.
What winning it paid, at today's prices
The champion's cheque at August 2026 prices, 2005 to 2026
The 2026 cheque is the biggest here in real terms as well as on its face.
What winning it paid, on the cheque
The champion's cheque as paid, 2005 to 2026
On the cheque the 2003 to 2026 rise is 2.51 times, 4.1% a year. Prices rose 1.81 times over the same run, which is the gap between this chart and the one above.
Against the rest of the tour
Real growth a year in the winner's cheque, the events either side of this one
Each rate runs from the first winner's cheque we hold at that event to the most recent, so two events that start in different years are measured over different runs. The John Deere Classic is 39th of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the John Deere Classic winner get in 2003?
Vijay Singh took $630,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,146,942.
Has John Deere Classic prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 4.1% a year between 2003 and 2026 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 1.5% a year. That is 39th of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the John Deere Classic pay the most in today's money?
2026, when Chris Gotterup took $1,584,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,599,880, the most recent cheque we hold.
How does the John Deere Classic winner's cheque compare with twenty years ago?
2006's cheque was $720,000, or $1,196,357 at August 2026 prices. 2026's was $1,584,000, 1.34 times as much in real terms.
Where to next
The rest of the John Deere Classic money
John Deere Classic prize money carries every champion, the John Deere Classic all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the John Deere Classic cut counts who made it each year.