2024 Tour Championship money: Here’s how much every player made

Scottie Scheffler, the top earner on the PGA Tour this season, has recently shared his thoughts on the subject of prize money and the potential for changes to the format of golf tournaments. With the Tour Championship, the most lucrative event on the PGA Tour calendar, just around the corner, Scheffler’s comments come at a time when the discussion about the future direction of professional golf is particularly pertinent.

 

On Tuesday, ahead of the Tour Championship, a reporter posed a thought-provoking question to Scheffler. The reporter inquired about how open Tour players might be to significant changes in tournament formats, such as shifting from the traditional 72-hole stroke play to match play or holding events under the lights, especially if such changes were driven by sponsors or entities like the Strategic Sports Group. The reporter also wondered if such alterations could be considered for playoff events or other high-profile tournaments.

 

Scheffler’s response was both thoughtful and reflective, acknowledging the complexity of the issue. He emphasized that while he values fair compensation for his participation, his primary focus remains on the love of the game and the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

 

“It’s a really in-depth conversation,” Scheffler began. He elaborated that despite his considerable earnings this season, he is driven by a passion for the sport rather than financial incentives alone. “At the end of the day in terms of sponsors, I would play a lot of the tournaments I play throughout the year if the purses were significantly less. I would pick and choose a bit more, but if it was — if it’s the Masters, I’m going to play the Masters. I want a chance to win a major championship. I do not care what you pay me for winning the Masters. I really don’t.”

 

Scheffler’s comments reflect a broader understanding of the interplay between sponsorship, player participation, and tournament format. He conveyed that while sponsorships and prize money are crucial components of the professional golf landscape, they are not the sole determinants of his involvement in tournaments. The opportunity to compete in prestigious events like the Masters holds intrinsic value for him, beyond monetary considerations.

 

In discussing the potential for changing tournament formats, Scheffler acknowledged the evolving nature of golf as a sport and entertainment product. “It’s a business at the end of the day. It’s part of the game. This is a product that appeals to a lot of people. Sports is entertainment, but at the end of the day I still stand on the side of the fence of my golf clubs will always be my entertainment. If you want to come watch me play golf, that’s what we’re going to see.”

 

He continued by expressing his commitment to the traditional 72-hole stroke play format, while remaining open to new ideas. “Golf is a funny game. You’re not always going to — there’s no perfect system in order to play a golf tournament that’s the most entertaining product and also the product that gets the best player each time. A lot of times in golf, the guy that plays the best may not even win that week. In terms of little bounces, it’s a fickle game. It’s a challenging sport. I’m open to suggestions. I do still think that 72 holes of stroke play is the best format for a golf tournament, but if a sponsor wants to come in and change it up a little bit, I love competing.”

 

Scheffler’s perspective underscores his dedication to competition and his openness to innovation within the sport, provided that it aligns with his fundamental love for golf and the competitive spirit it fosters. His willingness to adapt, while maintaining a core respect for traditional formats, highlights his balanced approach to the evolving dynamics of professional golf.

 

The conversation on golf tournament formats and sponsorship is timely, as it intersects with the financial rewards available to players. For instance, the payout for this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club reflects the substantial financial stakes involved. Here is a detailed breakdown of how much each player earned at the 2024 Tour Championship:

 

1. **Scottie Scheffler**: $25 million

2. **Collin Morikawa**: $12.5 million

3. **Sahith Theegala**: $7.5 million

4. **Russell Henley**, **Adam Scott**, **Xander Schauffele**: $4,833,333 each

7. **Sungjae Im**: $2.75 million

8. **Wyndham Clark**: $2.25 million

9. **Rory McIlroy**, **Hideki Matsuyama**, **Shane Lowry**: $1,608,333 each

12. **Viktor Hovland**, **Sam Burns**: $1 million each

14. **Taylor Pendrith**, **Justin Thomas**: $905,000 each

16. **Ludvig Aberg**: $795,000

17. **Robert MacIntyre**, **Patrick Cantlay**, **Matthieu Pavon**: $755,000 each

20. **Tommy Fleetwood**: $715,000

21. **Keegan Bradley**, **Byeong Hun An**: $660,000 each

23. **Billy Horschel**, **Aaron Rai**, **Tony Finau**: $615,000 each

26. **Akshay Bhatia**: $590,000

27. **Chris Kirk**, **Sepp Straka**: $575,000 each

29. **Christiaan Bezuidenhout**,