Fuzzy Zoeller finished -8 and took 17% of the purse. That $50,000 is worth about $228,896 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1979 Masters Tournament purse was split
Every paid player in finishing order. The top 10 took 72% of the money, and the dashed line marks the smallest check.
1979 Masters Tournament prize money for every player
Final positions and prize money, with what the same untied position paid the year before.
| Pos | Player | To par | Last year | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2 | Ed Sneed | -8 | $21,667 | $30,000 |
| T2 | Tom Watson | -8 | $21,667 | $30,000 |
| 1 | Fuzzy Zoeller | -8 | $45,000 | $50,000 +11% |
| 4 | Jack Nicklaus | -7 | $15,000 | |
| 5 | Tom Kite | -5 | $11,750 | $13,000 +11% |
| 6 | Bruce Lietzke | -4 | $11,500 | |
| T7 | Craig Stadler | -3 | $10,000 | $9,000 |
| T7 | Leonard Thompson | -3 | $10,000 | $9,000 |
| T7 | Lanny Wadkins | -3 | $10,000 | $9,000 |
| T10 | Hubert Green | -2 | $6,500 | |
| T10 | Gene Littler | -2 | $6,500 | |
| T12 | Seve Ballesteros | -1 | $3,740 | |
| T12 | Miller Barber | -1 | $3,740 | |
| T12 | Jack Newton | -1 | $3,740 | |
| T12 | Andy North | -1 | $3,740 | |
| T12 | Lee Trevino | -1 | $3,740 | |
| T17 | Lee Elder | E | $2,700 | |
| T17 | Ray Floyd | E | $2,700 | |
| T17 | Billy Kratzert | E | $2,700 | |
| T17 | Artie McNickle | E | $2,700 | |
| T17 | Gary Player | E | $2,700 | |
| 22 | J. C. Snead | +1 | $2,400 | |
| T23 | Bobby Clampett Amateur | +2 | Not known | |
| T23 | Lou Graham | +2 | $2,225 | |
| T23 | Joe Inman | +2 | $2,225 | |
| T23 | Hale Irwin | +2 | $2,225 | |
| T23 | Jim Simons | +2 | $2,225 | |
| T28 | Tommy Aaron | +3 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| T28 | Andy Bean | +3 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| T28 | Graham Marsh | +3 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| T31 | Gil Morgan | +4 | $1,975 | |
| T31 | Larry Nelson | +4 | $1,975 | |
| T31 | Victor Regalado | +4 | $1,975 | |
| T34 | Isao Aoki | +5 | $1,950 | |
| T34 | Bob Byman | +5 | $1,950 | |
| T34 | Charles Coody | +5 | $1,950 | |
| T34 | Scott Hoch Amateur | +5 | Not known | |
| T34 | Peter Oosterhuis | +5 | $1,950 | |
| 39 | John Cook Amateur | +7 | Not known | |
| 40 | Nick Faldo | +8 | $1,875 | |
| T41 | Jerry Pate | +9 | $1,875 | $1,850 |
| T41 | Tom Weiskopf | +9 | $1,875 | $1,850 |
| 43 | Billy Casper | +11 | $1,800 | |
| 44 | Rod Funseth | +12 | $1,775 | |
| 45 | Lindy Miller | +13 | $1,825 | $1,750 -4% |
| CUT | Barry Jaeckel | +2 | $0 | |
| CUT | Don January | +2 | $0 | |
| CUT | Jerry McGee | +2 | $0 | |
| CUT | Arnold Palmer | +2 | $0 | |
| CUT | Wally Armstrong | +3 | $0 | |
| CUT | Jay Sigel Amateur | +3 | $0 | |
| CUT | Jerry Heard | +4 | $0 | |
| CUT | Johnny Miller | +4 | $0 | |
| CUT | Sam Snead | +4 | $0 | |
| CUT | Dave Hill | +5 | $0 | |
| CUT | Lon Hinkle | +5 | $0 | |
| CUT | Simon Owen | +5 | $0 | |
| CUT | Dave Stockton | +5 | $0 | |
| CUT | Art Wall Jr. | +5 | $0 | |
| CUT | Gay Brewer | +6 | $0 | |
| CUT | Mike McCullough | +6 | $0 | |
| CUT | Mac McLendon | +7 | $0 | |
| CUT | Masashi Ozaki | +7 | $0 | |
| CUT | Ben Crenshaw | +9 | $0 | |
| CUT | Mark McCumber | +9 | $0 | |
| CUT | Mike Peck Amateur | +9 | $0 | |
| CUT | Ron Streck | +10 | $0 | |
| CUT | Peter McEvoy Amateur | +14 | $0 | |
| CUT | Bob Goalby | +16 | $0 | |
| WD | Bob Shearer | +1 | Not known | |
| WD | Doug Ford | +5 | Not known | |
| WD | David Graham | +7 | Not known |
Masters Tournament winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1979 Masters Tournament payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1979 Masters Tournament get?
Fuzzy Zoeller won $50,000 from a $299,625 purse.
What was the 1979 Masters Tournament purse?
$299,625.
How much did last place get at the 1979 Masters Tournament?
The smallest check was $1,750, to Lindy Miller (45).
How many players made the cut at the 1979 Masters Tournament?
45 players made the cut and finished, and 24 players missed it.