The 2025 Masters is officially in full swing at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club, and one of the more interesting side conversations this week has been around what kind of cash the winner’s going to take home. 

When you talk about the Masters, the first image that pops into most people’s minds is the iconic green jacket. But make no mistake — there’s some serious money on the line in Augusta, too.

A Tradition Rich in Dollars

Let’s get one thing straight: the Masters isn’t short on tradition. From the azaleas in full bloom to the Champions locker room, everything about Augusta National drips with history. But as much as fans and players love the pageantry, the tournament has also become a magnet for massive prize money over the years. 

The official figure for the 2025 total purse won’t drop until the cut is made, but the chatter around the clubhouse suggests it could top last year’s $20 million — and maybe set a new record altogether.

Before you think this jump just came out of thin air, remember that other golf circuits have seriously heat up the competition. Ever since the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf circuit arrived with deep pockets, the Masters and other major tournaments have been raising the financial stakes. 

If you needed any proof that professional golf has entered a new era, just take a look at the skyrocketing purses across the sport. The Masters doesn't even sit at the top of the money list these days. The U.S. Open recently pushed its prize pool to $21.5 million, the PGA Championship shelled out $18.5 million, and the Open Championship hit $17 million in 2024. Then there’s The Players Championship, which blew past everyone with a massive $25 million pot.

Chasing That Winner’s Share

Of course, the biggest headline is always how much the champion will pocket. The folks in Augusta know how to make that final putt on Sunday mean a little more, if that’s even possible. Just last year, Scottie Scheffler took home a cool $3.6 million along with his second Masters title. That was nearly $1 million more than he earned in 2022, which tells you just how quickly the stakes are climbing.

Here in 2025, we’re expecting more of the same upward trend, meaning whoever slips on the green jacket will likely walk away with a payday at or above that $3.6 million mark. In a sport where a single swing can change everything, that extra zero in the bank account can feel like a well-earned consolation for the nerve-racking pressure of the Masters.

For context, these leaps didn’t happen in a vacuum. The Masters champion’s earnings have been on a steady rise for years:

• In 2020, Dustin Johnson claimed $1.8 million.

• A year later, Hideki Matsuyama took home $2.07 million.

• By 2022, Scottie Scheffler’s first green jacket was worth $2.7 million.

• Jon Rahm grabbed $3.24 million in 2023.

• Scheffler returned to the top in 2024, banking $3.6 million.

Winning the Masters means you get to say you’re part of golf history — and yeah, your bank account’s probably throwing a little celebration of its own.

Payouts Beyond First Place

Now, it’s not all about the guy who sinks the winning putt on Sunday. The Masters’ prize distribution runs pretty deep. In 2024, the runner-up took a hefty $2.16 million. If you managed a tie for third, you still walked away with $1.36 million. Even players squeaking into the top 10 earned comfortably over half a million dollars.

What about those who couldn’t quite make the cut? Well, don’t shed too many tears for them — they still pocketed $10,000 in 2024. Sure, it’s not the multimillion-dollar haul that champions enjoy, but considering they also get to show off their talents at the Masters, it’s not a bad consolation.

More Than Just the Money

One of the coolest things about the Masters is that the cash is only part of the story. We all know about the green jacket, which might be the most coveted piece of clothing in sports. Win at Augusta, and your wardrobe is forever changed. 

You also receive a gold medal, a replica of the Masters Trophy, and the key to that exclusive Champions locker room. That last one is a pretty big deal — imagine having a permanent seat at a table reserved for golf’s greatest legends. And if that’s not enough, you get lifetime entry to the Masters, allowing you to keep coming back to defend your honor year after year.

If you ask past winners, many will tell you that the money fades, but the memories last forever. Sure, the paycheck is phenomenal, but there’s something truly special about having your name etched into Masters lore. For a lot of these guys, that means just as much — if not more — than all the digits on the direct deposit.