The International prize money history
Winning the International paid $306,000 in 1997, which is $638,653 at August 2026 prices. In 2005 it paid $900,000. On the face of the cheque that is 2.94 times as much. In real terms it is 2.42 times as much, 11.7% a year after inflation.
Every International winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Retief Goosen | $900,000 | $1,543,687$1.5m | $1.72 |
| 2004 | Rod Pampling | $900,000 | $1,595,987$1.6m | $1.77 |
| 2003 | Davis Love III | $900,000 | $1,638,489$1.6m | $1.82 |
| 2002 | Rich Beem | $810,000 | $1,508,248$1.5m | $1.86 |
| 2000 | Ernie Els | $630,000 | $1,225,537 | $1.95 |
| 1999 | David Toms | $468,000 | $941,000 | $2.01 |
| 1998 | Vijay Singh | $360,000 | $739,833 | $2.06 |
| 1997 | Phil Mickelson | $306,000 | $638,653 | $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 biggest in real terms is 2003, not 2005: Davis Love III's cheque is worth more today than the newest one.
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 2.94 times, 14.4% a year. Prices rose 1.21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kemper Open | 1997 | +13.4% |
| 0 | 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 International is 2nd of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the International winner get in 1997?
Phil Mickelson took $306,000. At August 2026 prices that is $638,653.
Has International prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 14.4% a year between 1997 and 2005 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 11.7% a year. That is 2nd of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the International pay the most in today's money?
2003, when Davis Love III took $900,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,638,489, more than the $1,543,687 the 2005 win is worth at the same prices.
Where to next
The rest of the International money
The International prize money carries every champion, the International all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the International cut counts who made it each year.