Kemper Open prize money history
Winning the Kemper Open paid $270,000 in 1997, which is $563,518 at August 2026 prices. In 2005 it paid $900,000. On the face of the cheque that is 3.33 times as much. In real terms it is 2.74 times as much, 13.4% a year after inflation.
Every Kemper Open winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sergio Garcia | $900,000 | $1,543,687$1.5m | $1.72 |
| 2004 | Adam Scott | $864,000 | $1,532,148$1.5m | $1.77 |
| 2003 | Rory Sabbatini | $810,000 | $1,474,640$1.5m | $1.82 |
| 2002 | Bob Estes | $648,000 | $1,206,598 | $1.86 |
| 1999 | Rich Beem | $450,000 | $904,808 | $2.01 |
| 1998 | Stuart Appleby | $360,000 | $739,833 | $2.06 |
| 1997 | Justin Leonard | $270,000 | $563,518 | $2.09 |
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, 1997 to 2005
The 2005 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, 1997 to 2005
On the cheque the 1997 to 2005 rise is 3.33 times, 16.2% a year. Prices rose 1.22 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
| # | TOURNAMENT | SINCE | A YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Kemper Open | 1997 | +13.4% |
| 2 | The International | 1997 | +11.7% |
| 3 | Doral-Ryder Open | 1998 | +10.5% |
| 4 | BellSouth Classic | 1998 | +8.7% |
| 5 | TOUR Championship | 2004 | +8.4% |
| 6 | Buick Open | 1997 | +8.1% |
| 7 | Butterfield Bermuda Championship | 2019 | +8.0% |
| 8 | Arnold Palmer Invitational | 1996 | +7.5% |
| 9 | Memorial Tournament | 1997 | +6.2% |
| 10 | RBC Heritage | 1998 | +6.0% |
| 11 | BMW Championship | 1996 | +5.6% |
| 12 | U.S. Open | 1997 | +5.5% |
| 13 | The Open Championship | 1996 | +5.4% |
| 14 | The Genesis Invitational | 1999 | +5.3% |
| 15 | Travelers Championship | 2001 | +5.1% |
| 16 | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | 1998 | +5.0% |
| 17 | FedEx St. Jude Championship | 2001 | +4.9% |
| 18 | PGA Championship | 1997 | +4.7% |
| 19 | Farmers Insurance Open | 1996 | +4.5% |
| 20 | Masters Tournament | 1999 | +4.3% |
| 21 | WM Phoenix Open | 1996 | +4.3% |
| 22 | THE PLAYERS Championship | 1996 | +4.1% |
| 23 | The Sentry | 2005 | +3.7% |
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 Kemper Open is 1st of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the Kemper Open winner get in 1997?
Justin Leonard took $270,000. At August 2026 prices that is $563,518.
Has Kemper Open prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 16.2% a year between 1997 and 2005 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 13.4% a year. That is 1st of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the Kemper Open pay the most in today's money?
2005, when Sergio Garcia took $900,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,543,687, the most recent cheque we hold.
Where to next
The rest of the Kemper Open money
Kemper Open prize money carries every champion, the Kemper Open all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the Kemper Open cut counts who made it each year.