As the global golf tour season draws to an end, attention tends to focus on lucrative finals series and multi-million bonus pools. For the great majority of players, of course, it’s more about battling through a year-long marathon than triumphing in a last-gasp sprint. However, the rewards can be substantial, even for journeymen pros in the lower echelons of the main tours. So what can they realistically aspire to after a solid season?
According to a report in Golfweek, a total of 146 players have won at least $1 million in prize money during the 2016-17 season between the U.S. PGA Tour and European Tour: 102 and 44 players, respectively (based on the current exchange rate between the euro and the dollar).
PGA Tour player of the year Justin Thomas topped the U.S. money list with $9.9 million; while Tommy Fleetwood, currently competing in the final event of the European Tour, has won €4,235,987 ($5,000,070).
Sixteen golfers on the U.S. LPGA Tour have won more than $1 million this season as they also compete in their last event of 2017. South Korean Sung Hyun Park is out front on the money list with $2.3 million in prize money. No golfer on the Ladies European Tour has topped $1 million in earnings in 2017. After 12 of the 15 events scheduled this season, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist leads the way with €555,556 ($655,657) – albeit in her case from just three events.
Obviously all these quoted winnings are reduced after paying taxes and caddy, travel and accommodation costs, but they can also be further swelled by endorsements, unofficial tournaments and other off-course events.
