The Sentry prize money history
Winning the Sentry paid $1,060,000 in 2005, which is $1,818,120 at August 2026 prices. In 2025 it paid $3,600,000. On the face of the cheque that is 3.40 times as much. In real terms it is 2.06 times as much, 3.7% a year after inflation.
Every Sentry winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hideki Matsuyama | $3,600,000$3.6m | $3,745,781$3.7m | $1.04 |
| 2024 | Chris Kirk | $3,600,000$3.6m | $3,844,343$3.8m | $1.07 |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm | $2,700,000$2.7m | $2,968,297$3.0m | $1.10 |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | $1,476,000$1.5m | $1,689,465$1.7m | $1.14 |
| 2021 | Harris English | $1,340,000$1.3m | $1,656,542$1.7m | $1.24 |
| 2020 | Justin Thomas | $1,340,000$1.3m | $1,734,367$1.7m | $1.29 |
| 2019 | Xander Schauffele | $1,300,000 | $1,703,353$1.7m | $1.31 |
| 2018 | Dustin Johnson | $1,260,000 | $1,680,856$1.7m | $1.33 |
| 2017 | Justin Thomas | $1,220,000 | $1,667,247$1.7m | $1.37 |
| 2016 | Jordan Spieth | $1,180,000 | $1,646,937$1.6m | $1.40 |
| 2015 | Patrick Reed | $1,140,000 | $1,611,181$1.6m | $1.41 |
| 2014 | Zach Johnson | $1,140,000 | $1,613,093$1.6m | $1.41 |
| 2013 | Dustin Johnson | $1,140,000 | $1,639,260$1.6m | $1.44 |
| 2012 | Steve Stricker | $1,120,000 | $1,634,091$1.6m | $1.46 |
| 2011 | Jonathan Byrd | $1,120,000 | $1,667,908$1.7m | $1.49 |
| 2010 | Geoff Ogilvy | $1,120,000 | $1,720,556$1.7m | $1.54 |
| 2009 | Geoff Ogilvy | $1,120,000 | $1,748,778$1.7m | $1.56 |
| 2008 | Daniel Chopra | $1,100,000 | $1,711,439$1.7m | $1.56 |
| 2007 | Vijay Singh | $1,100,000 | $1,777,151$1.8m | $1.62 |
| 2006 | Stuart Appleby | $1,080,000 | $1,794,536$1.8m | $1.66 |
| 2005 | Stuart Appleby | $1,060,000 | $1,818,120$1.8m | $1.72 |
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, 2006 to 2025
The biggest in real terms is 2024, not 2025: Chris Kirk's cheque is worth more today than the newest one.
What winning it paid, on the cheque
The champion's cheque as paid, 2006 to 2025
On the cheque the 2005 to 2025 rise is 3.40 times, 6.3% a year. Prices rose 1.65 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 0 | 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% |
| 34 | Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches | 1999 | +2.3% |
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 Sentry is 23rd of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the Sentry winner get in 2005?
Stuart Appleby took $1,060,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,818,120.
Has Sentry prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 6.3% a year between 2005 and 2025 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 3.7% a year. That is 23rd of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the Sentry pay the most in today's money?
2024, when Chris Kirk took $3,600,000. At August 2026 prices that is $3,844,343, more than the $3,745,781 the 2025 win is worth at the same prices.
How does the Sentry winner's cheque compare with twenty years ago?
2005's cheque was $1,060,000, or $1,818,120 at August 2026 prices. 2025's was $3,600,000, 2.06 times as much in real terms.
Where to next
The rest of the Sentry money
The Sentry prize money carries every champion, the Sentry all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the Sentry cut counts who made it each year.