The Players Championship prize money at a glance
This page covers 52 editions of The Players Championship, 1974–2026. Its purse went from $250,000 in 1974 to $25,000,000 in 2026, 100 times as much, or 15 times after inflation. In 2026 the winner took 18% of the purse: $4,500,000. The biggest winner's check was $4,500,000, to Scottie Scheffler in 2023. The lowest winning score on record is -24, by Greg Norman in 1994. Players who have won it more than once: Jack Nicklaus (3), Fred Couples (2), Hal Sutton (2), Davis Love III (2). Scottie Scheffler has earned the most here: $9,557,700 from 6 starts and 2 wins.
The Players Championship purse by year
What 10th place paid at The Players Championship
A strong finish that isn't a win, year by year.
Who has earned the most at The Players Championship
The Players Championship champions and purses
Multiple winners: Jack Nicklaus (3), Fred Couples (2), Hal Sutton (2), Davis Love III (2), Steve Elkington (2), Tiger Woods (2), Rory McIlroy (2), Scottie Scheffler (2).
| Year | Champion | To par | Purse | Winner's share | In 2026 dollars | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cameron Young | -13 | $25,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 | 2026 |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | -12 | $25,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $4,643,963 | 2025 |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | -20 | $25,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $4,766,161 | 2024 |
| 2023 | Scottie Scheffler | -17 | $25,000,000 | $4,500,000 | $4,906,740 | 2023 |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | -13 | $20,000,000 | $3,600,000 | $4,086,975 | 2022 |
| 2021 | Justin Thomas | -14 | $15,000,000 | $2,700,000 | $3,310,535 | 2021 |
| 2019 | Rory McIlroy | -16 | $12,500,000 | $2,250,000 | $2,924,014 | 2019 |
| 2018 | Webb Simpson | -18 | $10,500,000 | $1,980,000 | $2,619,762 | 2018 |
| 2017 | Si Woo Kim | -10 | $10,500,000 | $1,890,000 | $2,561,764 | 2017 |
| 2016 | Jason Day | -15 | $10,500,000 | $1,890,000 | $2,616,332 | 2016 |
| 2015 | Rickie Fowler | -12 | $10,000,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,523,180 | 2015 |
| 2014 | Martin Kaymer | -13 | $10,000,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,526,173 | 2014 |
| 2013 | Tiger Woods | -13 | $9,500,000 | $1,710,000 | $2,438,796 | 2013 |
| 2012 | Matt Kuchar | -13 | $9,500,000 | $1,710,000 | $2,474,520 | 2012 |
| 2011 | K.J. Choi | -13 | $9,500,000 | $1,710,000 | $2,525,726 | 2011 |
| 2010 | Tim Clark | -16 | $9,500,000 | $1,710,000 | $2,605,459 | 2010 |
| 2009 | Henrik Stenson | -12 | $9,500,000 | $1,710,000 | $2,648,190 | 2009 |
| 2008 | Sergio Garcia | -5 | $9,500,000 | $1,710,000 | $2,638,775 | 2008 |
| 2007 | Phil Mickelson | -11 | $9,000,000 | $1,620,000 | $2,595,865 | 2007 |
| 2006 | Stephen Ames | -14 | $8,000,000 | $1,440,000 | $2,373,259 | 2006 |
| 2005 | Fred Funk | -9 | $8,000,000 | $1,440,000 | $2,449,819 | 2005 |
| 2004 | Adam Scott | -12 | $8,000,000 | $1,440,000 | $2,532,935 | 2004 |
| 2003 | Davis Love III | -17 | $6,500,000 | $1,170,000 | $2,113,108 | 2003 |
| 2002 | Craig Perks | -8 | $6,000,000 | $1,080,000 | $1,994,841 | 2002 |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods | -14 | $6,000,000 | $1,080,000 | $2,026,479 | 2001 |
| 2000 | Hal Sutton | -10 | $6,000,000 | $1,080,000 | $2,083,751 | 2000 |
| 1999 | David Duval | -3 | $5,000,000 | $900,000 | $1,795,097 | 1999 |
| 1998 | Justin Leonard | -10 | $4,000,000 | $720,000 | $1,467,499 | 1998 |
| 1997 | Steve Elkington | -16 | $3,500,000 | $630,000 | $1,303,994 | 1997 |
| 1996 | Fred Couples | -18 | $3,500,000 | $630,000 | $1,334,478 | 1996 |
| 1995 | Lee Janzen | -5 | $3,000,000 | $540,000 | $1,177,366 | 1995 |
| 1994 | Greg Norman | -24 | $2,500,000 | $450,000 | $1,008,664 | 1994 |
| 1993 | Nick Price | -18 | $2,500,000 | $450,000 | $1,034,964 | 1993 |
| 1992 | Davis Love III | -15 | $1,800,000 | $324,000 | $767,169 | 1992 |
| 1991 | Steve Elkington | -12 | $1,600,000 | $288,000 | $702,582 | 1991 |
| 1990 | Jodie Mudd | -10 | $1,500,000 | $270,000 | $686,565 | 1990 |
| 1989 | Tom Kite | -9 | $1,350,000 | $243,000 | $651,263 | 1989 |
| 1988 | Mark McCumber | -15 | $1,250,000 | $225,000 | $632,129 | 1988 |
| 1987 | Sandy Lyle | -14 | $1,000,000 | $180,000 | $526,325 | 1987 |
| 1986 | John Mahaffey | -13 | $900,000 | $162,000 | $491,051 | 1986 |
| 1985 | Calvin Peete | -14 | $900,000 | $162,000 | $500,371 | 1985 |
| 1984 | Fred Couples | -11 | $800,000 | $144,000 | $460,545 | 1984 |
| 1983 | Hal Sutton | -5 | $700,000 | $126,000 | $420,307 | 1983 |
| 1982 | Jerry Pate | -8 | $500,000 | $90,000 | $309,864 | 1982 |
| 1981 | Ray Floyd | -3 | $440,000 | $72,000 | $263,090 | 1981 |
| 1980 | Lee Trevino | -10 | $440,000 | $72,000 | $290,280 | 1980 |
| 1979 | Lanny Wadkins | -5 | $440,000 | $72,000 | $329,610 | 1979 |
| 1978 | Jack Nicklaus | +1 | $344,270 | $60,000 | $305,588 | 1978 |
| 1977 | Mark Hayes | +1 | $300,000 | $60,000 | $328,908 | 1977 |
| 1976 | Jack Nicklaus | -19 | $300,000 | $60,000 | $350,292 | 1976 |
| 1975 | Al Geiberger | -10 | $250,000 | $50,000 | $308,680 | 1975 |
| 1974 | Jack Nicklaus | -16 | $250,000 | $50,000 | $336,903 | 1974 |
The Players Championship prize money FAQ
How much does the winner of The Players Championship get?
In 2026 the winner received $4,500,000 from a $25,000,000 purse.
What was the first The Players Championship winner's share worth in today's dollars?
$50,000 in 1974 is about $336,903 in 2026 dollars.
What is the biggest The Players Championship payout ever?
$4,500,000 to Scottie Scheffler in 2023.
Who has won The Players Championship the most?
Jack Nicklaus, with 3 wins between 1974 and 2026.