THE PLAYERS Championship prize money history
Winning the PLAYERS Championship paid $630,000 in 1996, which is $1,345,044 at August 2026 prices. In 2026 it paid $4,500,000. On the face of the cheque that is 7.14 times as much. In real terms it is 3.38 times as much, 4.1% a year after inflation.
Every PLAYERS Championship winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cameron Young | $4,500,000$4.5m | $4,545,115$4.5m | $1.01 |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | $4,500,000$4.5m | $4,682,226$4.7m | $1.04 |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | $4,500,000$4.5m | $4,805,428$4.8m | $1.07 |
| 2023 | Scottie Scheffler | $4,500,000$4.5m | $4,947,161$4.9m | $1.10 |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | $3,600,000$3.6m | $4,120,647$4.1m | $1.14 |
| 2021 | Justin Thomas | $2,700,000$2.7m | $3,337,809$3.3m | $1.24 |
| 2019 | Rory McIlroy | $2,250,000$2.2m | $2,948,110$2.9m | $1.31 |
| 2018 | Webb Simpson | $1,980,000$2.0m | $2,641,346$2.6m | $1.33 |
| 2017 | Si Woo Kim | $1,890,000$1.9m | $2,582,866$2.6m | $1.37 |
| 2016 | Jason Day | $1,890,000$1.9m | $2,637,891$2.6m | $1.40 |
| 2015 | Rickie Fowler | $1,800,000$1.8m | $2,543,969$2.5m | $1.41 |
| 2014 | Martin Kaymer | $1,800,000$1.8m | $2,546,989$2.5m | $1.41 |
| 2013 | Tiger Woods | $1,710,000$1.7m | $2,458,891$2.5m | $1.44 |
| 2012 | Matt Kuchar | $1,710,000$1.7m | $2,494,908$2.5m | $1.46 |
| 2011 | K.J. Choi | $1,710,000$1.7m | $2,546,538$2.5m | $1.49 |
| 2009 | Henrik Stenson | $1,710,000$1.7m | $2,670,009$2.7m | $1.56 |
| 2008 | Sergio Garcia | $1,710,000$1.7m | $2,660,510$2.7m | $1.56 |
| 2007 | Phil Mickelson | $1,620,000$1.6m | $2,617,258$2.6m | $1.62 |
| 2005 | Fred Funk | $1,440,000$1.4m | $2,469,899$2.5m | $1.72 |
| 2004 | Adam Scott | $1,440,000$1.4m | $2,553,580$2.6m | $1.77 |
| 2003 | Davis Love III | $1,170,000 | $2,130,036$2.1m | $1.82 |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods | $1,080,000 | $2,042,792$2.0m | $1.89 |
| 1998 | Justin Leonard | $720,000 | $1,479,666$1.5m | $2.06 |
| 1996 | Fred Couples | $630,000 | $1,345,044$1.3m | $2.13 |
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, 2004 to 2026
The biggest in real terms is 2023, not 2026: Scottie Scheffler's cheque is worth more today than the newest one.
What winning it paid, on the cheque
The champion's cheque as paid, 2004 to 2026
On the cheque the 1996 to 2026 rise is 7.14 times, 6.8% a year. Prices rose 2.11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 0 | THE PLAYERS Championship | 1996 | +4.1% |
| 23 | The Sentry | 2005 | +3.7% |
| 24 | World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play | 2003 | +3.6% |
| 25 | Greater Milwaukee Open | 1999 | +3.1% |
| 26 | Truist Championship | 2003 | +3.0% |
| 27 | THE NORTHERN TRUST | 2001 | +2.9% |
| 28 | Shriners Children's Open | 1996 | +2.7% |
| 29 | Valspar Championship | 2002 | +2.7% |
| 30 | Texas Children's Houston Open | 1999 | +2.6% |
| 31 | Valero Texas Open | 2000 | +2.6% |
| 32 | B.C. Open | 2004 | +2.4% |
| 33 | Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic | 1999 | +2.4% |
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 PLAYERS Championship is 22nd of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the PLAYERS Championship winner get in 1996?
Fred Couples took $630,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,345,044.
Has PLAYERS Championship prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 6.8% a year between 1996 and 2026 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 4.1% a year. That is 22nd of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the PLAYERS Championship pay the most in today's money?
2023, when Scottie Scheffler took $4,500,000. At August 2026 prices that is $4,947,161, more than the $4,545,115 the 2026 win is worth at the same prices.
How does the PLAYERS Championship winner's cheque compare with twenty years ago?
2005's cheque was $1,440,000, or $2,469,899 at August 2026 prices. 2026's was $4,500,000, 1.84 times as much in real terms.
Where to next
The rest of the PLAYERS Championship money
THE PLAYERS Championship prize money carries every champion, the PLAYERS Championship all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the PLAYERS Championship cut counts who made it each year.