Miles Bennett
Golf tournaments often result in ties, and the method of resolving these ties varies. The PGA Championship, for instance, employs a three-hole aggregate-score playoff, unlike the standard PGA Tour's sudden-death contest. If there's still a tie after the three holes, the PGA of America switches to hole-by-hole sudden death. Other major tournaments, like the Open Championship and the U.S. Open, have their own unique playoff formats. When it comes to prize money, the PGA Tour designates a specific percentage of the purse for each position in the standings. In the case of ties, the prize money for the tied positions is combined and then evenly divided among the players. This ensures that players are appropriately compensated relative to other finishers, without gaining a financial edge by finishing in a higher position.
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What You'll Learn
PGA Tour prize money payouts
When it comes to PGA Tour prize money payouts, there are a few key things to note. Firstly, PGA Tour prize money payouts are set before each tournament, regardless of how many players make the cut. However, when more players make the cut, the PGA Tour adds money to the purse, increasing the total purse. This can make the math a bit more complicated, especially in major championships, where governing bodies determine the prize pool based on the number of players who make the cut.
In terms of how ties are handled, when players tie for a single position, the prize money is evenly divided among them. This means they receive the combined prize money for their shared position and the position below. For example, if two players tie for second place, they will split the combined second and third-place prize money. This ensures that players who tie don't earn more than they would have if they had finished in a higher position alone.
The PGA Tour offers significant prize money, with over $400 million in prize money and payouts available during the 2025 PGA regular season and three playoff events. Signature events within the PGA Tour typically have $20 million purses. Winners of these events can take home substantial payouts, with Aldrich Potgieter winning $1.728 million, and Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin each receiving $1,329,400 for their wins.
It is worth noting that some golfers have earned $10 million or more on the PGA Tour without winning a single event. This highlights the longevity and skill required to reach such milestones and the increased prize money available in modern times.
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Tiebreakers and playoffs
When it comes to golf, ties are not uncommon, and there are various methods to break them. The USGA recommends a playoff of at least three holes for stroke play. If the scores are still tied, a sudden death playoff can be used, where players compete hole-by-hole until a winner emerges. This format is the most common in stroke play tournaments and even more prevalent in match play tournaments. The Open Championship, for instance, adopted a shortened aggregate playoff system, introducing a 4-hole playoff in 1985.
If a full playoff is not feasible, an alternative method is matching scorecards. This involves comparing the scores of the tied golfers over the last 9, 6, 3, and then final holes. The golfer with the best total score over the last 9 holes is deemed the winner. If they are still tied, the same comparison is made for the last 6, then 3, and finally, the last hole. This method is also used in PlayThru, a golf tournament software, which gives tied golfers the same position number and then sorts them based on tie-breaking criteria.
In the rare case that golfers are still tied after comparing all hole scores, their names may be sorted alphabetically, and the event organizer can decide on further tie-breaking methods. For point-based events, the system can consider the number of points earned on each hole. Another option is to use hole handicaps, which was the USGA's recommended approach until a few years ago.
While the aggregate playoff format is the oldest for stroke play, sudden death is often preferred due to its quicker resolution. However, some golfers argue that it is unfair to lose a tournament on one bad swing after playing 72 holes. In contrast, the aggregate playoff, typically involving three, four, or eighteen holes, is considered fairer as it gives golfers more chances.
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Amateurs competing in PGA Tours
The PGA Tour is the organizer of professional golf tours in North America. It organizes the flagship annual series of tournaments, including the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour Champions (for golfers aged 50 and older), the Korn Ferry Tour (for golfers who have not yet qualified for the PGA Tour), and PGA Tour Americas.
Amateurs can compete in PGA Tours, and there have been eight golfers who have won PGA Tour tournaments as amateurs since 1945. The most recent golfer to achieve this feat is Nick Dunlap, who won the 2024 American Express. Frank Stranahan is the only golfer to have won more than once as an amateur, with four wins.
It is important to note that under PGA Tour rules, golfers who play as amateurs are not allowed to collect their winnings, nor can they turn professional during the tournament.
In terms of tiebreakers, if a competition ends in a tie, a method called countback is commonly used to determine the winner. In 27-, 36-, 54-, and 72-hole events, the last 18 holes are first used for countback. If this does not break the tie, then the countback method for 18-hole events is applied. The way countback is calculated can vary depending on club rules or the specific rules of the competition. Additionally, in match play, tiebreakers are determined by a playoff rather than by record.
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Percentage of prize money per position
In the event of a tie in a golf tournament, the prize money for the tied positions is combined and split evenly among the players. For example, if two golfers tie for second place, they will split the combined second and third-place prize money. The next golfer will then be awarded fourth place. This system ensures that players receive a pay bump for finishing tied relative to those who finish below them, without earning more than if they had attained a higher position alone.
The PGA Tour, including the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and British Open, offers substantial prize money. The 2025 Masters purse, for instance, was $21,000,000, with the winner taking home $4,200,000. The Players Championship in 2024 boasted an even higher prize fund of $25,000,000, with the winner receiving $4,500,000. Typically, PGA Tour tournament purses range from the lower $6 millions to the higher $7 millions, depending on the event.
While amateurs do not receive earnings, they are sometimes paid an appearance fee if they miss the cut. The cut rule for the Masters includes the top 50 players plus ties, while the U.S. Open includes the top 60 players plus ties. In 2025, 53 golfers made the cut at the Masters, and 67 golfers made the cut at the U.S. Open, though one later withdrew.
Finishing in the top 5 of a PGA Tour can be extremely lucrative, with payouts ranging from $240,000 to $300,000. However, it's important to note that these payouts are not considered official money and may not be included in projected or official earnings.
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Total purse and payouts
The PGA Tour designates a specific percentage of a tournament's purse for each place in the standings, from first to 70th. The winner typically receives 18% of the total purse, while the 70th spot is worth 0.2%. If more than 70 professional golfers make a tournament cut, each position after 70th place is worth $100 less than the previous spot. For instance, in a tournament with a $5 million purse, the winner would take home $900,000. The 10th place finisher would receive $135,000 (2.7%), 20th place would be worth $65,000 (1.3%), 30th place would get $34,000 (0.68%), 40th place would receive $21,500 (0.43%), 50th place would get $12,600 (0.252%), 60th place would be worth $11,000 (0.22%), and 70th place would earn $10,000.
If two or more golfers finish with identical scores, the dollar values of their positions are added together and then divided by the number of tied players to determine each player's share. For example, if three players tie for third place in a $5 million event, you would add the percentages usually awarded for third through fifth places (6.8 + 4.8 + 4 = 15.6) and then divide by three (15.6 / 3 = 5.2). Each golfer would be awarded 5.2% of the purse, which in this case would be $260,000 each.
Amateurs sometimes play in PGA Tour events but do not accept prize money, so they are skipped when the purse is distributed. For example, at the 2012 Masters, 59 professionals made the cut. However, as two amateurs finished ahead of him, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who finished last among the professionals in 61st place, earned 59th place money (0.222%), which was $17,760 of the $8 million purse.
The PGA Tour occasionally alters its standard format, usually for tournaments with smaller fields. For instance, the 2011 Tour Championship featured a 30-player field. The winner, Bill Haas, received the standard 18% of the $8 million purse, $1.44 million. However, most other spots were worth more than the standard formula. Phil Mickelson, who finished in 10th place, would usually have earned $216,000, but instead received $227,000 (2.84%).
The PGA Championship employs a three-hole aggregate-score playoff to determine a winner. All tied players will play the Green Mile once more (Nos. 16, 17 and 18 at Quail Hollow). The player with the lowest score across all three holes wins. If there is still a tie, the PGA of America switches to a hole-by-hole sudden death. The players go back to the 18th hole and, if necessary, move on to a rotation of the 16th, 17th and 18th holes until a champion is decided.
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Frequently asked questions
When players tie in golf, the prize money for their positions is added together and then divided by the number of players who tied, to determine how much each player receives.
For example, if two players tie for second place, the prize money for second and third place is added together and then split between the two players.
If there are multiple ties, the same principle applies. For example, if there are five players tied for second place, the prize money for second to seventh place is added together and then divided by five.
Amateurs who compete in professional golf tournaments do not accept prize money, so they are skipped when the purse is distributed.
If there is a tie for the lead, there will usually be a playoff to decide the winner. The PGA Championship, for example, employs a three-hole aggregate-score playoff, followed by a sudden-death hole-by-hole playoff if the tie persists.
