2026 Masters Winner to Earn Record $4.5 Million

The historic golf tournament's purse has grown to $22.5 million, with the champion taking home the largest payout ever.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:26pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing, a golf ball in flight, and the Augusta National clubhouse, all broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of emerald green, sky blue, and warm ochre.The record-breaking $4.5 million prize for the 2026 Masters champion underscores the tournament's enduring prestige and the lucrative financial rewards available to top golfers.Augusta Today

The 2026 Masters Tournament, set to tee off on April 9, will feature a record-breaking $22.5 million purse, with the champion earning $4.5 million - the highest winner's prize in the tournament's history. This marks a significant increase from the 2025 Masters, where Rory McIlroy took home $4.2 million from the $21 million total purse.

Why it matters

The growing prize money at the Masters reflects the tournament's status as one of the most prestigious events in golf. The record-breaking purse underscores the sport's continued popularity and the financial rewards available to top players, which can impact sponsorship deals, player recruitment, and the overall competitiveness of the field.

The details

The 2026 Masters champion will earn $4.5 million, up from the $4.2 million won by Rory McIlroy in 2025. The runner-up will receive $2.43 million, while third place will take home $1.53 million. The prize money at the Masters has seen significant growth in recent years, nearly quadrupling in the last two decades. In 2024, champion Scottie Scheffler earned $3.6 million, while the 2023 and 2022 winners received $3.24 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

  • The 2026 Masters Tournament will take place from April 9-12, 2026.
  • Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters, earning a then-record $4.2 million.
  • Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Masters, taking home $3.6 million.

The players

Rory McIlroy

The 2025 Masters champion, who earned a then-record $4.2 million for his victory.

Scottie Scheffler

The 2024 Masters champion, who took home $3.6 million for his victory.

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What they’re saying

“Caddies are treated really great at Augusta. We had our own locker room. They feed us just wonderful food — the best food I've ever had really.”

— Ken Martin, Caddie

What’s next

The 2026 Masters Tournament will tee off on April 9, 2026, with the winner set to earn a record-breaking $4.5 million prize.

The takeaway

The increasing prize money at the Masters reflects the tournament's enduring prestige and the lucrative financial rewards available to top golfers. This can impact player recruitment, sponsorship deals, and the overall competitiveness of the field as golfers vie for the chance to take home the coveted green jacket and a multi-million dollar payday.