World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions prize money history
Winning the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions paid $1,200,000 in 2009, which is $1,873,691 at August 2026 prices. In 2019 it paid $1,745,000. On the face of the cheque that is 1.45 times as much. In real terms it is 1.22 times as much, 2.0% a year after inflation.
Every World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Rory McIlroy | $1,745,000$1.7m | $2,286,423$2.3m | $1.31 |
| 2018 | Xander Schauffele | $1,700,000$1.7m | $2,267,822$2.3m | $1.33 |
| 2017 | Justin Rose | $1,660,000$1.7m | $2,268,549$2.3m | $1.37 |
| 2016 | Hideki Matsuyama | $1,620,000$1.6m | $2,261,049$2.3m | $1.40 |
| 2015 | Russell Knox | $1,400,000$1.4m | $1,978,643$2.0m | $1.41 |
| 2014 | Bubba Watson | $1,400,000$1.4m | $1,980,991$2.0m | $1.41 |
| 2013 | Dustin Johnson | $1,400,000$1.4m | $2,013,127$2.0m | $1.44 |
| 2012 | Ian Poulter | $1,200,000 | $1,750,812$1.8m | $1.46 |
| 2009 | Phil Mickelson | $1,200,000 | $1,873,691$1.9m | $1.56 |
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, 2009 to 2019
The 2019 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, 2009 to 2019
On the cheque the 2009 to 2019 rise is 1.45 times, 3.8% a year. Prices rose 1.19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 35 | Charles Schwab Challenge | 1999 | +2.2% |
| 0 | World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions | 2009 | +2.0% |
| 37 | Deutsche Bank Championship | 2003 | +1.9% |
| 38 | RBC Canadian Open | 2000 | +1.7% |
| 39 | John Deere Classic | 2003 | +1.5% |
| 40 | Zurich Classic of New Orleans | 1999 | +1.4% |
| 41 | Sanderson Farms Championship | 2001 | +1.3% |
| 42 | CIMB Classic | 2010 | +1.1% |
| 43 | The RSM Classic | 2010 | +1.1% |
| 44 | Sony Open in Hawaii | 2002 | +0.9% |
| 45 | The American Express | 2002 | +0.9% |
| 46 | 3M Open | 2019 | +0.8% |
| 47 | Rocket Classic | 2019 | +0.8% |
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 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions is 36th of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions winner get in 2009?
Phil Mickelson took $1,200,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,873,691.
Has World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 3.8% a year between 2009 and 2019 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 2.0% a year. That is 36th of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions pay the most in today's money?
2019, when Rory McIlroy took $1,745,000. At August 2026 prices that is $2,286,423, the most recent cheque we hold.
Where to next
The rest of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions money
World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions prize money carries every champion, the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions cut counts who made it each year.