Key Takeaways:
– Scottie Scheffler has already earned over $10 million in the 2024 PGA Tour season, surpassing Tiger Woods’ record from 2000.
– Sheffler’s winnings include a significant $4.5 million from a victory at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
– With runner-up finishes in the last two tournaments, competitor Wyndham Clark trails behind with over $7.8 million.
– The growth in PGA Tour purses, including the addition of Signature Events, is understood to be a response to LIV Golf’s generous purses.
Notching Impressive Earnings
On March 17, Scottie Scheffler clinched a riveting victory at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass resort. This win saw Scheffler take home the largest winner’s share of $4.5 million for the burgeoning 2024 PGA Tour season. Just a week prior, Scheffler succeeded in earning another chunk of $4 million from his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Over just seven starts this season, Scheffler, famed as the world’s top-ranked player, has already gathered a surprising total of $10,939,500. This puts him at the forefront in the 2024 PGA Tour money list.
Wyndham Clark’s Valiant Efforts
Wyndham Clark, an equally competitive contender who managed second place in the previous two tournaments, is currently seated in second place with over $7.896 million in on-course earnings.
PGA Purses Emulate LIV Golf Trend
The past quarter-century has observed an exponential growth in PGA Tour purses. This has especially been notable in the last two seasons following the introduction of Signature Events. This trend is considered as a direct response to the large purses presented by LIV Golf events.
Historically Acclaimed Winnings
Shattering expectations, Scheffler’s winnings transcend the record set by iconic golfer Tiger Woods in his 2000 season. Then, despite nine victorious starts across 20 tournaments, Woods pocketed $9,188,321 – a whopping $1.75 million less than what Scheffler has earned this year.
A Closer Glimpse at Scheffler’s Season
Among Scheffler’s seven starts this season, six resulted in top-10 finishes. These include his crowning victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship. Even at his lowest – a tie for 17th at The American Express tournament – Scheffler still pocketed $132,300 for the week, his smallest payment of the season.
In Light of Scheffler’s Career Earnings
With career earnings surpassing $53.5 million, Scheffler now stands as the 14th highest earner in the all-time PGA Tour money list.
Remembering Tiger Woods’ Phenomenal Season
As the leading all-time money earner on the PGA Tour, Woods accumulated over $120.9 million during his career that kicked off in 1996. More than $9.18 million of that came from the 2000 PGA Tour season, which then set a record for single-season earnings.
In conclusion, the current PGA prize purses are indicative of how the sport has grown economically. The dramatic increase in earnings has elevated players like Scottie Scheffler who are now surpassing records set by golf legends like Tiger Woods.