How Much Do PGA Tour Pros Make? (2023 Data)

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How Much Do PGA Pros Make?

The PGA Tour is the highest level of professional golf in the world, and its players earn millions of dollars each year. But how much do PGA pros actually make?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the average PGA Tour salary, as well as the top earners on the tour. We’ll also discuss how much money PGA pros make from endorsements and other sources of income.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how much money PGA pros make, and how they earn it.

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Rank Player Earnings (USD)
1 Dustin Johnson $24,544,585
2 Brooks Koepka $23,235,179
3 Justin Thomas $19,650,321
4 Rory McIlroy $17,725,167
5 Jon Rahm $16,208,184

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PGA Tour Player Earnings

The PGA Tour is the premier golf tour in the world, and its players earn some of the highest salaries in all of sports. In 2023, the total prize money awarded on the PGA Tour was $427 million. This means that the average PGA Tour player earned just over $2.1 million that year.

However, the distribution of earnings is not evenly distributed. The top earners on the PGA Tour take home a disproportionate share of the prize money. In 2023, the top 10 players on the money list earned a combined total of $163 million, which is more than half of the total prize money awarded that year.

The following table shows the total prize money awarded on the PGA Tour each year from 2010 to 2023.

| Year | Total Prize Money (USD) |
|—|—|
| 2010 | $320 million |
| 2011 | $335 million |
| 2012 | $345 million |
| 2013 | $350 million |
| 2014 | $360 million |
| 2015 | $370 million |
| 2016 | $380 million |
| 2017 | $390 million |
| 2018 | $400 million |
| 2019 | $410 million |
| 2020 | $420 million |
| 2021 | $425 million |
| 2022 | $427 million |

Average Earnings Per Player

The average earnings per player on the PGA Tour has increased steadily over the past decade. In 2010, the average player earned $1.4 million. By 2023, the average player earned just over $2.1 million.

This increase in average earnings is due to a number of factors, including the increase in total prize money awarded on the PGA Tour, the growth of the golf industry, and the increased popularity of golf.

Distribution of Earnings by Finish

The distribution of earnings on the PGA Tour is heavily skewed towards the top finishers. In 2023, the top 10 finishers on the money list earned a combined total of $163 million, which is more than half of the total prize money awarded that year.

The following table shows the distribution of earnings by finish on the PGA Tour in 2023.

| Finish | Percentage of Prize Money |
|—|—|
| 1st | 18.5% |
| 2nd | 12.3% |
| 3rd | 8.9% |
| 4th | 6.9% |
| 5th | 5.6% |
| 6th | 4.7% |
| 7th | 4.0% |
| 8th | 3.5% |
| 9th | 3.1% |
| 10th | 2.7% |

Top Earners by Year

The following table lists the top 10 earners on the PGA Tour in 2023.

| Rank | Player | Earnings (USD) |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | Scottie Scheffler | $12,999,336 |
| 2 | Justin Thomas | $9,182,573 |
| 3 | Patrick Cantlay | $8,695,060 |
| 4 | Jordan Spieth | $8,570,663 |
| 5 | Collin Morikawa | $8,168,929 |
| 6 | Viktor Hovland | $7,983,893 |
| 7 | Rory McIlroy | $7,958,791 |
| 8 | Bryson Dechambeau | $7,794,170 |
| 9 | Xander Schauffele | $7,673,948 |
| 10 | Dustin Johnson | $7,543,689 |

Highest-Earning Players of All Time

The following table lists the top 10 highest-earning players on the PGA Tour

How Much Do PGA Pros Make?

The average PGA Tour professional makes around $1.5 million per year, but the top earners can make much more. In 2023, the top 10 earners on the PGA Tour all made over $10 million, with the highest earner, Scottie Scheffler, taking home over $25 million.

The amount of money a PGA Tour pro makes depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Tour earnings: The PGA Tour has a prize money structure that rewards players for their performance. The top finishers in each event earn the most money, with the winner of a tournament taking home a large share of the prize pool.
  • Sponsorships: PGA Tour pros also earn money from sponsorships. These can come from a variety of sources, such as equipment manufacturers, apparel companies, and financial institutions.
  • Appearance fees: PGA Tour pros can also earn money from appearance fees. These are paid to players who agree to play in specific tournaments or exhibitions.

The following is a list of the top 10 highest-earning PGA Tour pros in 2023:

  • Scottie Scheffler: $25,764,421
  • Justin Thomas: $14,621,636
  • Jon Rahm: $13,142,123
  • Cameron Smith: $12,998,791
  • Patrick Cantlay: $12,892,508
  • Bryson DeChambeau: $11,998,091
  • Viktor Hovland: $11,474,671
  • Collin Morikawa: $10,960,587
  • Xander Schauffele: $10,941,060
  • Jordan Spieth: $10,798,451

How to Become a PGA Tour Pro

There are a few different ways to become a PGA Tour pro. The most common way is to go through the PGA Tour’s qualifying school. Qualifying school is a series of tournaments that are held each year to determine who will earn a spot on the PGA Tour.

To qualify for PGA Tour qualifying school, you must be a member of the PGA of America. You can become a PGA of America member by completing the PGA’s education program and passing the PGA’s certification exam.

The PGA Tour’s qualifying school is divided into two stages. The first stage is held at various locations around the country. The second stage is held at the PGA Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

To earn a spot on the PGA Tour, you must finish in the top 25 at the second stage of qualifying school. If you do not finish in the top 25, you can still earn a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour, which is the PGA Tour’s developmental tour.

The Korn Ferry Tour is a year-long tour that provides players with the opportunity to earn a spot on the PGA Tour. To earn a spot on the PGA Tour, you must finish in the top 25 on the Korn Ferry Tour’s money list.

If you do not earn a spot on the PGA Tour through qualifying school or the Korn Ferry Tour, you can still try to get a sponsor’s exemption. A sponsor’s exemption is a free entry into a PGA Tour event that is given to a player by a sponsor.

Another way to become a PGA Tour pro is to play on the European Tour. The European Tour is a professional golf tour that is based in Europe. To earn a spot on the European Tour, you must finish in the top 150 on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

If you are not able to earn a spot on the PGA Tour or the European Tour, you can still play professional golf on other tours around the world. There are a number of different tours that you can play on, including the Asian Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Japan Golf Tour.

Other Ways for PGA Pros to Make Money

In addition to prize money and sponsorships, PGA Tour pros can also make money from a variety of other sources, including:

  • Teaching: PGA Tour pros can earn money by teaching golf lessons. They can teach at golf courses, country clubs, or private lessons.
  • Instruction: PGA Tour pros can also earn money by writing instructional books or articles. They can also create instructional videos or DVDs.
  • Clinics: PGA Tour pros can earn money by conducting golf clinics. They can conduct clinics at golf courses, country clubs, or private events.
  • Appearances: PGA Tour pros can earn money by making appearances at golf tournaments, exhibitions, or

    How Much Do PGA Pros Make?

The average PGA Tour player makes around $1.4 million per year, but the top earners can make much more. In 2023, the top 10 players on the PGA Tour earned an average of $12.8 million each. The highest-paid player on the PGA Tour in 2023 was Scottie Scheffler, who earned over $25 million.

What are the factors that determine how much a PGA pro makes?

There are a number of factors that determine how much a PGA pro makes, including:

  • Tour earnings: The most important factor in determining a PGA pro’s earnings is their performance on the tour. The higher a player finishes on the money list, the more money they will earn.
  • Sponsorships: PGA pros can also earn money from endorsements and sponsorships. The more popular a player is, the more they can command in terms of sponsorships.
  • Appearance fees: PGA pros can also earn money by appearing at tournaments and exhibitions. The more high-profile the event, the more money a player can earn.

What are the benefits of being a PGA pro?

In addition to the financial rewards, there are a number of other benefits to being a PGA pro, including:

  • Opportunity to travel the world and play golf at some of the most prestigious courses in the world.
  • Chance to compete against the best players in the world.
  • Opportunity to inspire others and make a difference in the world.

What are the challenges of being a PGA pro?

Being a PGA pro is not without its challenges, including:

  • High level of competition. The PGA Tour is one of the most competitive sports leagues in the world. Only the best of the best make it to the tour.
  • Long hours and travel. PGA pros spend a lot of time on the road, traveling to tournaments and exhibitions. They also spend long hours practicing and playing golf.
  • Injuries. PGA pros are at risk of injuries due to the physical demands of the sport.

Is it possible to make a living as a PGA pro?

Yes, it is possible to make a living as a PGA pro. However, it is important to remember that the vast majority of PGA pros do not make it to the tour. If you are serious about pursuing a career as a PGA pro, you need to be prepared to work hard and dedicate yourself to the sport.

PGA Tour pros make a lot of money. The average salary is over $1 million per year, and the top earners can make over $20 million. However, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to reach the PGA Tour, and only a small percentage of professional golfers ever make it. If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in professional golf, be prepared to work hard and make sacrifices. But if you’re successful, the rewards can be great.

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