Masters "Last Year's Prize Money $2.07 Million"... What About This Year?

First Champion Smith's $1,500 in 1934, Woods Surpasses $2 Million in 2019, Decided Immediately After Round 3

The prize money for Dustin Johnson, the world No. 1, for winning the Masters last November was 2.07 million dollars.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "From $1,500 to $2.07 million."

The $1,500 (1.68 million KRW) prize money won by Horton Smith, the inaugural Masters champion in 1934, is worth about $30,000 (33.52 million KRW) in today's value. It is interesting that Dustin Johnson (USA), world No. 1, received $2.07 million (2.3126 billion KRW) immediately after his victory last November. Over 86 years, it has increased by a staggering 1,380 times. The Masters, which has no title sponsor, determines the prize money size after the third round based on the tournament's revenue. How much will it be this year?

The winner's prize money only rose to $3,000 in 1951. It increased to $5,000 in 1954, and in 1958, when Arnold Palmer won, it surpassed the $10,000 (11,250 USD) mark for the first time. From 1961 to 1969, it was $20,000, then $25,000 in 1970, and $100,000 (108,000 USD) in 1984. Since then, with the explosive growth of the PGA Tour, it rose to $200,000 in 1989, $576,000 in 1998, and finally surpassed $1 million (1,008,000 USD) in 2001.

Twenty years later, in 2019, it doubled again. The 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods was the one who broke the $1 million mark in 2001 and the $2 million mark in 2019. When he won in 1997, he set various records as the first black winner, youngest champion (21 years, 3 months, 14 days), most under par, lowest 72-hole score (18 under par 270 strokes), and largest margin of victory over second place (12 strokes). He won five times including back-to-back wins in 2001-2002, 2005, and 2019.

Although Woods only finished tied for 39th last year and failed to defend his title, he has earned $9,556,100 (10.668 billion KRW) from the Masters alone, ranking first in total prize money. Phil Mickelson is second ($8,067,500), with 3 wins and 25 appearances in the main event. Jordan Spieth ranks third ($4,594,800) with only seven appearances. He has been particularly strong at the Masters with a win in 2015, runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2016, and third place in 2017. Defending champion Johnson (both USA) is fourth ($4,246,500).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.