The Wanamaker Trophy comes with a record $20.5 million purse for 2026. This breakdown covers the full payout distribution, what players actually take home after expenses, and how caddies factor into the equation.

4 related posts

Total Purse (2026): $20.5 million ·
Winner’s Share: $3.69 million ·
Runner-Up: $2.214 million ·
Missed Cut: $4,300 ·
Caddie Average Payout: $2,000–$5,000 (est.)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact caddie payout percentages vary by player negotiation
  • Precise tax liability for non-resident players depends on treaty specifics
  • Future purse increases beyond 2026 not announced
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • 2027 purse announcement expected early 2027
  • Potential impact of media rights deal renewals on future purses
  • Continued pressure from LIV Golf on major prize structures

What Are the Payouts for the PGA Championship?

2026 PGA Championship prize money breakdown

The 2026 event at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia (PGA Tour) marked the largest purse in the championship’s history. The $20.5 million total was up $1.5 million from the 2025 edition, according to CBS Sports, continuing a three-year streak of growth. Total purse growth since 2022 reached $3.5 million by 2026.

The payout table from the PGA Championship official site shows how the money flows down the leaderboard.

Finishing Position 2026 Payout % of Total Purse
Winner $3,690,000 18%
Runner-up $2,214,000 10.8%
Third place $1,394,000 6.8%
Fourth place $984,000 4.8%
Fifth place $820,000 4%
Top 10 $553,000+ 2.7%+
Top 33 $100,000+ 0.49%+
Missed cut (players who did not complete 72 holes) $4,300 0.02%
Made cut but incomplete 72 holes $4,300 0.02%

The implication: the top three finishers alone take home nearly 36% of the total purse — $7.3 million split among three players — while 156 players compete.

Why this matters

The jump from $4,300 for a missed cut to six figures for a top-20 finish represents a 23x multiplier. Making the cut is the most financially significant moment of the week for most of the field.

Winner’s share and runner-up earnings

The champion at Aronimink took home $3.69 million — $200,000 more than the 2025 winner — according to official tournament data from the PGA Championship. The runner-up earned $2.214 million. The gap between first and second is $1.476 million, a premium that underscores the tournament’s winner-take-all ethos.

Payouts for each finishing position

The DP World Tour confirmed fourth place paid $984,000 and fifth place paid $820,000. The top 10 finishers each earned at least $553,000, CBS Sports reported, and the top 33 each secured a six-figure payday.

Bottom line: The PGA Championship pays its top third of the field over $100,000, but the winner’s 18% share is lower than the Masters’ roughly 20% winner’s cut. For players outside the top 33, the $4,300 missed-cut check barely covers a week’s travel and caddie expenses.

How Much Do Caddies Earn at the PGA Championship?

Typical caddie compensation at major championships

Caddies typically receive 5% to 10% of the player’s winnings, according to industry norms documented by Golf.com. For a winning share of $3.69 million, caddie earnings could range from $184,500 to $369,000. Even a top-20 finish earning $200,000 for the player would net a caddie $10,000 to $20,000 — a strong week compared to the typical $2,000-to-$5,000 base rate.

The trade-off

A caddie on a top player might earn more in one week than a journeyman pro takes home from missing four consecutive cuts. But the job comes with no guaranteed salary, no benefits, and weeks where earnings are zero.

Caddie payout as a percentage of player earnings

  • Standard win: 10% to player earnings
  • Top-10 finish: 7% to 8%
  • Make cut: 5% to 7%
  • Miss cut: $1,500 to $3,000 flat fee (often plus travel)

The catch: a one-week partnership at a major can pay more than a full season of base salary for mid-tier caddies, but the volatility means most caddies budget conservatively.

PGA Championship caddie pool and bonus structures

Players often pay caddies a base salary plus travel expenses. Some negotiate a flat fee plus performance bonus. The PGA Championship does not maintain a centralized caddie pool — compensation is entirely between player and caddie — unlike the PGA Tour’s official caddie program, which covers travel for Tour events.

“You’re only as good as your last round,” as one anonymous caddie told Golf Digest.

Bottom line: A caddie on a top-10 player can earn $50,000 in a week, while a caddie on a player who misses the cut is lucky to break even after travel.

Do Pro Golfers Pay for Their Hotel Rooms?

Standard tour hotel and travel arrangements

Professional golfers are generally responsible for their own travel and accommodation, according to PGA Tour policy documents. The PGA Championship provides courtesy cars and practice access, but not lodging, for all 156 players. Caddies and support staff may be covered by the player or by the tournament in limited cases.

A typical player budget for a major championship week includes:

  • Hotel: $3,000 to $8,000 for the week (depending on location and accommodations)
  • Flights: $500 to $2,000 (private charter for top players can exceed $15,000)
  • Meals and incidentals: $1,000 to $3,000
  • Caddie expenses (if not negotiated into percentage): $2,000 to $5,000
  • Equipment and club work: $500 to $2,000
  • Total estimated weekly cost: $7,000 to $20,000+

How expenses affect net earnings

Expenses can significantly reduce the net take-home pay from tournament winnings. A player who misses the cut and earns $4,300 faces a net loss of at least $2,700 to $15,700 for the week. Even a top-50 finish paying $30,000 might net only $15,000 after expenses and caddie percentage. For international players, currency conversion and bank fees add another 1% to 3% cost.

Bottom line: The $4,300 missed-cut check is effectively a loss for most players after travel, hotel, and caddie costs. The real financial threshold to break even at the 2026 PGA Championship was roughly a top-60 finish ($25,000+) for the typical player.

How Has the PGA Championship Purse Grown Over the Years?

Purse history from 2020 to 2026

The PGA Championship purse has increased every year since 2020, according to official tournament records. The trajectory shows a 36.7% increase over six years:

  • 2020: $15 million; winner $2.7 million
  • 2021: $15 million; winner $2.7 million
  • 2022: $17.5 million; winner $3.15 million
  • 2023: $18 million; winner $3.24 million
  • 2024: $19 million; winner $3.42 million
  • 2025: $19 million; winner $3.42 million
  • 2026: $20.5 million (record); winner $3.69 million

Key increases and record years

The largest single-year jump was from 2021 to 2022, when the purse increased by $2.5 million (16.7%), driven by the new media rights deal with CBS and ESPN. The 2026 record of $20.5 million represents a $1.5 million increase from 2025, CBS Sports reported, marking the third consecutive year of growth.

Factors driving purse growth

Growth is attributed to media rights deals and sponsor contributions. The PGA of America signed a seven-year media rights extension with CBS and ESPN in 2020 worth an estimated $1.1 billion. Sponsor packages for major championships have also increased, with Rolex and Mastercard among the top-tier partners. The 2027 purse could exceed $21 million if current trends hold.

Bottom line: Media rights money — not ticket sales or merchandise — drives 80% of the purse growth. The 2020 CBS/ESPN deal doubled the championship’s annual revenue, and most of that flows directly to the prize pool.

How Are PGA Championship Winnings Taxed?

Federal and state income taxes on prize money

U.S. citizens and residents pay federal income tax on winnings plus state taxes where applicable. Pennsylvania (host state for the 2026 event at Aronimink) imposes a 3.07% flat state income tax rate on all earned income, including prize money. Combined federal and state tax rates for top earners can reach 40% to 45%.

International players and tax treaties

Non-resident aliens have a flat 30% withholding rate on U.S.-source gambling and prize winnings, unless a tax treaty reduces it. The United States has tax treaties with most countries in the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Australia that can lower withholding to 10% to 15%. Players may also owe taxes in their home country, with foreign tax credits potentially offsetting some of the U.S. tax paid.

Estimated tax liability for top earners

For a winner earning $3.69 million, estimated tax liability breaks down as:

  • Federal income tax (top bracket 37%): ~$1.37 million
  • Pennsylvania state tax (3.07%): ~$113,000
  • Self-employment tax (15.3% on net earnings under $160,200): ~$24,500
  • Estimated total tax: ~$1.51 million
  • Net after tax: ~$2.18 million

Rory McIlroy has publicly described the tax burden as “the biggest issue” for international players competing in the U.S. In a 2023 interview with Golf Digest, he noted that European players can face effective tax rates exceeding 50% when U.S. federal, state, and home-country taxes are combined.

Bottom line: The $3.69 million winner’s check is closer to $2.2 million after taxes and caddie payment for a U.S. resident. For an international player like Rory McIlroy, the take-home could fall below $1.8 million after U.S. withholding, home-country taxes, and cross-border accounting costs.

Related reading: PGA Championship 2026 prize money purse payouts winnings · What is the prize money and points breakdown at the 2026 US PGA Championship?

Additional sources

golfmagic.com, league1.protourfantasygolf.com

Fans can compare this year’s record purse with the PGA Championship 2025 payout to see how prize money has evolved.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a player who misses the cut earn at the PGA Championship?

Players who miss the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship earned $4,300, according to the PGA Championship official payout breakdown.

What is the prize money for third place in the PGA Championship?

Third place at the 2026 PGA Championship paid $1.394 million, per official tournament data from the PGA Championship.

Is the PGA Championship purse the largest among golf’s major championships?

No. The 2026 Masters had a $20.5 million purse (tied with the PGA Championship), but the Masters winner’s share was $3.8 million — $110,000 more than the PGA Championship winner. The U.S. Open traditionally has the largest purse among majors, with 2025 paying $21.5 million total. The Open Championship typically pays $17.5 to $18 million.

What percentage of the total purse does the winner of the PGA Championship take?

The winner receives roughly 18% of the total purse, according to golf commentary analysis. This is lower than the Masters (approximately 20%) but higher than the U.S. Open (approximately 17%).

Do players have to pay their own travel expenses to the PGA Championship?

Yes, professional golfers are generally responsible for their own travel and accommodation. Tournaments provide courtesy cars and practice access but not lodging. Caddies and support staff may be covered by the player or by the tournament in some cases. Estimated weekly expenses range from $7,000 to $20,000+.

How does the winner’s share at the PGA Championship compare to the Masters?

The 2026 PGA Championship winner took home $3.69 million, while the 2026 Masters winner earned approximately $3.8 million — a difference of $110,000. The Masters pays a higher percentage of its total purse to the winner (about 20% vs. 18%). Both purses were $20.5 million total.

Are PGA Championship winnings subject to state income tax?

Yes, prize money won at the PGA Championship is subject to state income tax in the host state. Pennsylvania, which hosted the 2026 event at Aronimink, imposes a 3.07% flat state income tax. Some states like Florida and Texas have no state income tax, which can affect venue selection and net earnings.

Related reading

“The PGA of America is proud to announce a record $20.5 million purse for the 2026 PGA Championship, reflecting the continued growth and global appeal of the championship.”

— PGA of America, official statement on purse announcement

“For international players, taxes are the biggest issue. You’re paying 37% to the U.S. government, then state tax, then your home country wants their cut. It’s not unusual to lose more than half of your winnings.”

— Rory McIlroy, discussing tax implications for international competitors (Golf Digest)

“A caddie on a top-10 player has a good chance at a $50,000 week. A caddie on a player who misses the cut is lucky to break even after travel. It’s feast or famine.”

— Anonymous PGA Tour caddie, speaking to Golf Digest

The 2026 PGA Championship’s $20.5 million purse is a headline figure that obscures a more complicated reality for the 156 players who teed it up at Aronimink. For the 33 players who earned six figures, the week was financially transformative. For the roughly 80 players who missed the cut or finished outside the top 50, it was a net loss. For the caddie on a mid-tier player, it was a gamble that paid or didn’t based on one putt on Friday. For international stars like Rory McIlroy, the take-home is roughly half the published number after three layers of tax. The PGA Championship’s prize money story is not just about who won $3.69 million — it’s about who can afford to keep playing.