Scottie Scheffler had done it. Golf’s world number one was dominant on Royal Portrush’s 18th green, winning the The Open with 3-under 68 in the final round. As cameras flashed and journalists fired questions about the American’s performance last month, one number dominated the headlines. That eye-watering $3.1 million prize money figure.
For fans, it was a moment of golf glory. For Scheffler and every PGA Tour pro, the reality behind that number is far more complicated.
After the accountants scanned the figures and all the bills were tallied, Scheffler’s prize looked a lot smaller. After federal taxes, his caddie’s cut, travel expenses, and the small army of coaches who helped put him in position to win, the actual amount hitting his bank account was closer to $1.8 million. Of course, it’s life-changing money, but a far cry from the figure splashed across front page of the papers.
Welcome to the reality of professional golf, where the prize money figures that make civilian’s eyes water represent only the starting point of a complex financial equation that few outside the ropes truly understand.
The Great Disappearing Act
Professional golfers operate in a world where winnings may look huge on paper, but for players, a big win often comes with a long list of bills that shrink the payoff fast.
Unlike footballers or basketball players who receive guaranteed salaries and have most expenses covered by their clubs, tour pros are independent contractors navigating a financial minefield every week, even when golf continues to grow and develop globally.
LIV Golf’s Saudi-backed disruption has attracted new audiences, Tiger’s TGL promises to revolutionise how fans consume the sport, and trusted betting sites have expanded their golf offerings with in-play options driven by quality media coverage. The sport is booming. Yet for many players, the economics remain as treacherous as a Sawgrass island green.
Why Prize Money Doesn’t Equal Take-Home Pay
Taxes are the first bite. A $5 million victory might leave a player with roughly $3 million after federal and state taxes. International tournaments add complexity, with some players owing taxes in multiple countries for the same pay-check.
Then come the coaches. Swing instructors, short-game gurus, putting specialists, fitness trainers, sports psychologists—the modern tour pro resembles a Formula One driver, surrounded by technical experts fine tuning every aspect of performance.
Top players can easily spend a quarter million on coaching alone, with some investing considerably more in their pursuit of marginal gains.
Travel and lodging add another layer. The PGA Tour is a year-round, globe-trotting operation. Flights, hotels, meals, and car rentals for dozens of tournaments can quickly run into six figures. While top players might enjoy luxury accommodations, all of it comes out of their pockets.
Even equipment and sponsorships aren’t free money. While some players receive free clubs, balls, and apparel, others pay out of their own pocket. And though lucrative, endorsements often come with obligations: appearances, ads, and brand commitments that take time and energy away from practice.
The Cost of Competing
Only a small fraction of players earn big money. Scheffler, the world No. 1, earned $29.2 million in prize money in 2024.
A typical top-50 player might earn $5 million in a season and keep around $2.4 million after all expenses. A substantial sum, yes, but far less than the headlines suggest.
Venture further down the rankings, and the numbers become genuinely concerning. Players ranked outside the top 165 may actually lose money, paying more in travel, coaching, and tournament costs than they make in winnings.
Consider The Open itself. The total prize pool was $17 million, with the top 10 finishers earning nearly $10 million collectively. By contrast, the 50th-place finisher took home less than $47,000—before taxes, caddie fees, and lodging in Northern Ireland. Players who missed the cut walked away with nothing.
A Reality Check
“Golfers who are in the top 125 are having a great life,” Bryson DeChambeau said on the Full Send Podcast. “But I feel so bad for the guys who are 165’ and lower.”
“We’re independent contractors. We’ve got to pay for all of our expenses – every hotel we have to pay on our own, food etc. You do everything yourself,” he added.
“And you’ve got a family to feed. And you’re missing cuts. And when you miss a cut, you make nothing. You think it’s great (on Tour), but once you start getting into the nitty-gritty and it’s your livelihood, it’s a very interesting scenario.”
Pro golf’s financial structure creates a winner-takes-all environment where success brings both rewards and responsibilities that casual fans rarely consider. Those headline-grabbing prize money figures? They’re merely the opening bid in a financial negotiation between golfer, taxman, caddie, coach, and countless others with their hands out.
The next time you see a tour pro celebrating a million-dollar victory, remember: they’re probably celebrating something closer to $600,000, and that’s if they’re lucky.
