Lee Trevino finished -15 and took 18% of the purse. That $54,000 is worth about $197,318 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1981 MONY Tournament of Champions purse was split
Every paid player in finishing order. The top 10 took 67% of the money, and the dashed line marks the smallest check.
1981 MONY Tournament of Champions 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee Trevino | -15 | $54,000 | $54,000 |
| 2 | Ray Floyd | -13 | $34,000 | $35,000 +3% |
| 3 | Bruce Lietzke | -10 | $20,000 | $23,500 +18% |
| 4 | Bill Rogers | -8 | $17,100 | |
| 5 | Larry Nelson | -7 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| T6 | Tom Kite | -5 | $12,500 | $12,000 |
| T6 | Curtis Strange | -5 | $12,500 | $12,000 |
| T6 | Doug Tewell | -5 | $12,500 | $12,000 |
| 9 | Tom Watson | -4 | $10,250 | |
| 10 | David Graham | -3 | $9,500 | $9,500 |
| T11 | Jack Nicklaus | -2 | $7,812 | $8,375 |
| T11 | Ben Crenshaw | -2 | $7,812 | $8,375 |
| 13 | Dan Halldorson | -1 | $7,500 | |
| T14 | Bob Gilder | E | $6,750 | |
| T14 | Johnny Miller | E | $6,750 | |
| T16 | John Cook | +1 | $5,800 | |
| T16 | Scott Hoch | +1 | $5,800 | |
| 18 | Scott Simpson | +2 | $4,917 | $5,300 +8% |
| 19 | Mark Pfeil | +3 | $5,000 | |
| T20 | John Mahaffey | +4 | $4,800 | |
| T21 | Hale Irwin | +6 | $4,400 | $4,500 |
| T21 | Peter Jacobsen | +6 | $4,400 | $4,500 |
| 23 | Andy Bean | +8 | $4,200 | |
| 24 | Howard Twitty | +9 | $3,775 | $4,000 +6% |
| T25 | Mike Sullivan | +11 | $3,750 | |
| T25 | Billy Kratzert | +11 | $3,750 | |
| 27 | Don Pooley | +12 | $3,600 | |
| 28 | Wayne Levi | +13 | $3,500 | |
| 29 | Phillip Hancock | +25 | $3,300 | $3,400 +3% |
Hyundai Tournament of Champions winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1981 MONY Tournament of Champions payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1981 MONY Tournament of Champions get?
Lee Trevino won $54,000 from a $300,000 purse.
What was the 1981 MONY Tournament of Champions purse?
$300,000.
How much did last place get at the 1981 MONY Tournament of Champions?
The smallest check was $3,400, to Phillip Hancock (29).