As the world major tour season draws to a close, attention tends to focus on the lucrative final series and multi-million dollar bonuses. For the vast majority of players, of course, it’s more about battling in a year-long marathon than in triumphing in a last-minute sprint. However, the rewards can be substantial, even for circuit pros in the lower echelons of the top tours. So what can they realistically aspire to after a solid season?
According to a report published in Golfweek, a total of 146 players earned at least $1 million in prize money during the 2016-17 season adding the U.S. PGA Tour and the European Tour, with 102 and 44 players, respectively (based on the current euro/dollar exchange rate).
PGA Tour Player of the Year Justin Thomas topped the American Tour’s money list with $9.9 million, while Tommy Fleetwood, currently competing in the European Tour’s final tournament, has earned 4.2 million euros, equivalent to $5 million.
Meanwhile, sixteen players on the American Women’s Tour, the LPGA Tour, have earned more than $1 million this season, with the final tournament of 2017 remaining. South Korea’s Sung Hyun Park is at the top of the earnings rankings, with $2.3 million in prize money. No golfer on the Ladies European Tour has surpassed $1 million in earnings in 2017. After 12 of the 15 tournaments scheduled this season, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist leads the earnings list, with €555,556 ($655,657), in her case amassed in just three competitions.
Obviously, all these earnings are reduced after taxes and caddie, travel and accommodation costs, but they can also be further increased by advertising sponsorships, unofficial tournaments and other off-circuit events.
Leave a Reply