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USA Today
13-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Masters winner's money went from $1,500 in 1934 to $4.2 million in 2025
Masters winner's money went from $1,500 in 1934 to $4.2 million in 2025 When Horton Smith won the first Masters – it was called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament then – he was awarded a prize of $1,500. In 2025, the winner will take home (before taxes) $4.2 million. The total purse for the 2025 Masters is $21 million, a $1 million increase from a year ago. The first-place prize is up $600,000 from last year. That continues a trend, as the top prize has increased every year since 2021 and, in all, 54 times over an 89-year span. How Masters first-place prize money payouts have increased 1934: $1,500 The inaugural event featured a $5,000 purse and $1,500 winner's share, which went to Smith. Those amounts stayed the same for the first five playings of the tournament. 1946: $2,500 The Masters to be played after three-year hiatus during World War II saw Herman Keiser take home a $2,500 prize. 1958 - $11,250 Arnold Palmer took home the first five-figure payday. 1984: $108,000 Masters money reached six figures in the mid-80s with Ben Crenshaw the first to claim that milestone. A 60-foot birdie putt on No. 10 highlighted his final-round 68. 1989: $200,000 Just five years later and the top prize had nearly doubled, with Nick Faldo winning the first of his three green jackets. 1998: $576,000 The first time the winner got more than a half a million dollars is when Mark O'Meara won the Masters in his 15th attempt, which was a then-record for most appearances before a victory. 2001: $1,008,000 Tiger Woods is the first Masters champ to clear a million bucks for winning at Augusta National. 2019: $2,070,000 Woods was also the first to earn a check for more than $2 million at Augusta. 2023: $3,240,000 Jon Rahm is the Masters first $3 million man. 2025: $4,200,000 This year's winner will be the Masters first $4 million man. Masters first-place prize money year-by-year, 1934 to 2025 2025: $4,200,000 2024: $3,600,000 2023: $3,240,000 2022: $2,700,000 2021: $2,070,000 2020: $2,070,000 2019: $2,070,000 2018: $1,980,000 2017: $1,980,000 2016: $1,800,000 2015: $1,800,000 2014: $1,620,000 2013: $1,440,000 2012: $1,440,000 2011: $1,440,000 2010: $1,350,000 2009: $1,350,000 2008: $1,350,000 2007: $1,305,000 2006: $1,260,000 2005: $1,260,000 2004: $1,117,000 2003: $1,080,000 2002: $1,008,000 2001: $1,008,000 2000: $828,000 1999: $720,000 1998: $576,000 1997: $486,000 1996: $450,000 1995: $396,000 1994: $360,000 1993: $306,000 1992: $270,000 1991: $243,000 1990: $225,000 1989: $200,000 1988: $183,800 1987: $162,000 1986: $144,000 1985: $126,000 1984: $108,000 1983 ;$90,000 1982: $64,000 1981: $60,000 1980: $55,000 1979: $50,000 1978: $45,000 1977: $40,000 1976: $40,000 1975: $40,000 1974: $35,000 1973: $30,000 1972: $25,000 1971: $25,000 1970: $25,000 1969: $20,000 1968: $20,000 1967: $20,000 1966: $20,000 1965: $20,000 1964: $20,000 1963: $20,000 1962: $20,000 1961: $20,000 1960: $17,500 1959: $15,000 1958: $11,250 1957: $8,750 1956: $6,000 1955: $5,000 1954: $5,000 1953: $4,000 1952: $4,000 1951: $3,000 1950: $2,400 1949: $2,750 1948: $2,500 1947: $2,500 1946: $2,500 1942: $1,500 1941: $1,50 1940: $1,500 1939: $1,500 1938: $1,500 1937: $1,500 1936: $1,500 1935: $1,500 1934: $1,500
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Masters winner's money went from $1,500 in 1934 to $3.6 million in 2024
Masters winner's money went from $1,500 in 1934 to $3.6 million in 2024 Since it first started in 1934 until last year, the first-place prize money at the Masters has increased more than 226,000 percent. It sort of boggles the mind in those terms but the numbers are the numbers: When Horton Smith won the what was then called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, he was awarded a prize of $1,500. In 2024, when Scottie Scheffler won his second Masters Tournament, he earned $3,600,000. The money has changed quite dramatically over the 88 years of the tournament. The total purse and first-place money for the 2025 Masters has not been announced yet but the winner's share has gone up for three consecutive years. In all, the top prize has increased 53 of those 88 years. How Masters first-place prize money payouts have increased 1934: $1,500 The inaugural event featured a $5,000 purse and $1,500 winner's share, which went to Smith. Those amounts stayed the same for the first five playings of the tournament. 1946: $2,500 The Masters to be played after three-year hiatus during World War II saw Herman Keiser take home a $2,500 prize. 1958 - $11,250 Arnold Palmer took home the first five-figure payday. 1984: $108,000 Masters money reached six figures in the mid-80s with Ben Crenshaw the first to claim that milestone. A 60-foot birdie putt on No. 10 highlighted his final-round 68. 1989: $200,000 Just five years later and the top prize had nearly doubled, with Nick Faldo winning the first of his three green jackets. 1998: $576,000 The first time the winner got more than a half a million dollars is when Mark O'Meara won the Masters in his 15th attempt, which was a then-record for most appearances before a victory. 2001: $1,008,000 Tiger Woods is the first Masters champ to clear a million bucks for winning at Augusta National. 2019: $2,070,000 Woods was also the first to earn a check for more than $2 million at Augusta. 2023: $3,240,000 Jon Rahm is the Masters first $3 million man. 2024: $3,600,000 Scottie Scheffler Masters first-place prize money year-by-year, 1934 to 2024 2024: $3,600,000 2023: $3,240,000 2022: $2,700,000 2021: $2,070,000 2020: $2,070,000 2019: $2,070,000 2018: $1,980,000 2017: $1,980,000 2016: $1,800,000 2015: $1,800,000 2014: $1,620,000 2013: $1,440,000 2012: $1,440,000 2011: $1,440,000 2010: $1,350,000 2009: $1,350,000 2008: $1,350,000 2007: $1,305,000 2006: $1,260,000 2005: $1,260,000 2004: $1,117,000 2003: $1,080,000 2002: $1,008,000 2001: $1,008,000 2000: $828,000 1999: $720,000 1998: $576,000 1997: $486,000 1996: $450,000 1995: $396,000 1994: $360,000 1993: $306,000 1992: $270,000 1991: $243,000 1990: $225,000 1989: $200,000 1988: $183,800 1987: $162,000 1986: $144,000 1985: $126,000 1984: $108,000 1983 ;$90,000 1982: $64,000 1981: $60,000 1980: $55,000 1979: $50,000 1978: $45,000 1977: $40,000 1976: $40,000 1975: $40,000 1974: $35,000 1973: $30,000 1972: $25,000 1971: $25,000 1970: $25,000 1969: $20,000 1968: $20,000 1967: $20,000 1966: $20,000 1965: $20,000 1964: $20,000 1963: $20,000 1962: $20,000 1961: $20,000 1960: $17,500 1959: $15,000 1958: $11,250 1957: $8,750 1956: $6,000 1955: $5,000 1954: $5,000 1953: $4,000 1952: $4,000 1951: $3,000 1950: $2,400 1949: $2,750 1948: $2,500 1947: $2,500 1946: $2,500 1942: $1,500 1941: $1,50 1940: $1,500 1939: $1,500 1938: $1,500 1937: $1,500 1936: $1,500 1935: $1,500 1934: $1,500
NBC Sports
30-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Masters Tournament 101: History, tradition, records and terminology at Augusta National Golf Club
The Golf Central Pregame crew discusses Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, documenting their recent performances on the 2025 PGA Tour and analyzing if there is a rivalry brewing between the two star golfers. Take a look at some answers to frequently asked questions of the Masters Tournament: Who created the Masters? The Masters was the brainchild of legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones and investment dealer Clifford Roberts, who co-founded the Augusta National Golf Club in 1933. How old is the Masters? The tournament began in 1934. Who was the first Masters winner? Horton Smith. One of the better players of his day, Smith also won the Masters in 1936. Why is it called the Masters? When the tournament began it was called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. Roberts suggested it be called the Masters, a reference to the 'masters of golf' who played in it, but Jones thought the name immodest. Roberts finally got his way in 1939. How did the Masters become so popular? Jones was one of the most famous and most admired sports figures of his day, especially after he accomplished the unprecedented feat of winning a 'Grand Slam' — capturing the U.S. and British Open and Amateur titles. It was only natural that a tournament he established would inherit his popularity. Why is the Masters a major? Unlike the other three majors — the U.S. Open, The Open, and the PGA — the Masters isn't the 'championship' of anything. But majors have historically been determined by popular opinion, and between Jones, the fact that it is an early spring tournament and the quality of players who have won at Augusta, the tournament just naturally became regarded as a major. Golf Channel Staff, Why does the Masters winner get a green jacket? In 1937, Augusta National members began wearing green sport coats so that they could be recognized if fans had questions about the tournament. The tradition was expanded to winners being presented with green jackets in 1949. Sam Snead was the winner that year, so he got the first jacket, and all the previous winners were retroactively ordered jackets. The shade of green, by the way, is Pantone 342. Does the Masters winner keep the green jacket? Technically, no. He is supposed to return it at the following year's event. But he can have a replica made for him to keep. Who is in this year's Masters field? How do you qualify for the Masters? There are currently 20 categories for invitation to this year's Masters : 1. Previous Masters winners (lifetime); 2. Winners of the five most recent U.S. Opens; 3. Winners of the five most recent Open Championships; 4. Winners of the five most recent PGA Championships; 5. Winners of the three most recent Players Championships; 6. The current Olympic gold medalist (one year); 7. The current U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up (one year; must remain an amateur); 8. The current Amateur champion (one year; must remain an amateur); 9. The current Asia-Pacific Amateur champion (one year; must remain an amateur); 10. The current Latin America Amateur champion (one year; must remain an amateur); 11. The current U.S. Mid-Amateur champion (one year; must remain an amateur); 12. The current NCAA DI men's individual champion (one year; must remain an amateur); 13. The first 12 players, including ties, in the previous year's Masters; 14. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's U.S. Open; 15. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's Open Championship; 16. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's PGA Championship; 17. Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation from the previous Masters to the current Masters; 18. Those qualifying and eligible for the previous year's season-ending Tour Championship; 19. The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year; 20. The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters Tournament. Augusta National also reserves the right to offer special invitations. Who are some of Augusta National's better-known members? Augusta does not comment on its membership or reveal the identities of its members, but these public figures are reportedly members: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, former quarterback Peyton Manning, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam. Why are Augusta National holes named after flowers? This is an homage to the property's former use as a nursery containing thousands of flowering plants and trees imported from various countries. Each hole was named after and adorned with one of these plants. Why do I keep hearing about azaleas in connection with the Masters? Azaleas are arguably the most spectacular looking of Augusta National's plants. The 13th hole is named for them. They bloom for only a few weeks out of the year, however, and the club tries to make sure that is during the tournament. Who designed Augusta National? The original architect was Alister MacKenzie, a British surgeon who later became a golf course architect. Jones had met him in 1927 at St. Andrews, a course they both revered, and Jones also admired MacKenzie's work in California at Cypress Point and Pasatiempo. MacKenzie died in January 1934, after the construction work had been finished but before Augusta National was fully covered with grass. What is Amen Corner at Augusta National? Amen Corner is hole Nos. 11, 12 and 13, which are located — literally — at a corner of the property. The name comes from a 1958 Sports Illustrated article by legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind. Wind later explained that he was looking for a catchy phrase — a la baseball's 'hot corner' or football's 'coffin corner' — to show where some of the most crucial action had taken place that year. He said he took the name from a jazz record he had heard, 'Shouting in That Amen Corner.' What is Magnolia Lane at Augusta National? Magnolia Lane is the main driveway leading from Washington Road to the clubhouse. It is flanked on either side with 60 magnolia trees, which were planted in the 1850s. What is the Crow's Nest at Augusta National? The Crow's Nest is living space available to amateurs on the top floor of the clubhouse. There are three cubicles, each with one bed, and one cubicle with two beds. Who is Rae, of Rae's Creek fame? The creek, which comes into play on the 12th and 13th holes, is named after former property owner John Rae, who died in 1789. Who is Butler, of Butler Cabin fame? Built in 1964, Butler Cabin was named for club member Thomas B. Butler. It is where the winner conducts his interview with CBS. What is the Par 3 Contest at the Masters? The Par 3 Contest is a nine-hole competition held on the club's par-3 course the Wednesday before the Masters. It's extremely informal, with players' spouses and children often acting as caddies and even hitting occasional shots. No one has ever won the Par 3 Contest and the Masters in the same year. Golf Channel Digital, What is the Champions Dinner at the Masters? The Champions Dinner is a gathering to which all former Masters winners are invited. By tradition, the previous year's winner suggests the menu, although options are provided for anyone who considers the menu not to their taste. It was started in 1952 by Ben Hogan. Who is the defending champion at the Masters? Scottie Scheffler. The world No. 1 claimed his second green jacket (2022) by shooting a final-round 68 to defeat Masters first-time Ludvig Åberg by four strokes. Who has won the most Masters titles? Jack Nicklaus won six Masters titles (1963, '65, '66, '72, '75 and '86). Tiger Woods is one back, having added a fifth title last year (1997, 2001, '02, '05, '19). Who is the youngest Masters winner? Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters champion when he won in 1997 at age 21. Who is the oldest Masters winner? Jack Nicklaus became the oldest Masters champion when he won in 1986 at age 46. Who holds the 72-hole scoring record at the Masters? The record is 20-under 268, set by Dustin Johnson at the 2020 Masters, which was postponed until November because of the coronavirus pandemic. Who holds the 18-hole scoring record at the Masters? The record, 9-under 63, is shared by Greg Norman (first round in 1996) and Nick Price (third round in 1986). What is the cut rule at the Masters? Starting in 2020, the 36-hole cut includes the top 50 players and ties but not players within 10 strokes of the lead. The 10-shot rule was introduced in 1962 and endured in 2013 when the cut went from the top 44 players and ties to the top 50 along with anyone within 10 strokes of the lead. Has an amateur ever won the Masters? No amateur has ever won the Masters, but a few have come close. In 1947, Frank Stranahan finished T-2, two shots behind winner Jimmy Demaret. In 1954, Billy Joe Patton finished one stroke out of the Sam Snead-Ben Hogan playoff. In 1956, Ken Venturi lead after 18, 36 and 54 holes, but he shot 80 on the final day and finished one shot behind Jack Burke Jr. Has anyone ever won the Masters on their first try? Technically, three players have. Horton Smith won the first Masters in 1934 and then Gene Sarazen won in his first start, in '35. Since the tournament really got going, however, only one player has done so: Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Did Bobby Jones ever play in the Masters? Jones played in the Masters 12 times — every year it was held between 1934 and 1948 (because of World War II it was not held in 1943, '44 or '45). His best finish came in his first appearance, when he shot 6-over 294 and finished T-13. What is the most famous shot in the history of the Masters? Gene Sarazen's 'Shot Heard 'Round the World, a 235-yard 4-wood shot that he holed for an albatross on the 15th hole in the final round. That helped him get into a 36-hole playoff the next day with Craig Wood, which Sarazen won. When was Augusta National 'Tiger-proofed,' what did that consist of, and why was it done? For most of its existence, Augusta National has played at slightly less than 7,000 yards. When Woods won in 1997, he effectively transformed the par-5 holes into par 4s by easily reaching their greens in two shots, sometimes with as little club as a wedge. Club officials decided to make changes — primarily adding length — after Woods won his second green jacket in 2001. Even with the changes, Woods won again in 2002. And again in 2005. More changes were made before the 2006 event, including the addition of trees and the narrowing of fairways. Woods didn't win the Masters again until 2019. What was the Eisenhower tree at Augusta National? The Eisenhower tree was a tall loblolly pine whose branches hovered over the left side of the 17th fairway. It got its name from the efforts of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was an Augusta National member, to have it removed because he hit it so often. Nature finally did what Clifford Roberts refused to. The tree suffered extensive damage during a 2014 ice storm and was taken down in February of that year. And, finally, what terminology does Augusta National use? Great final question. Patrons, not fans; second cut, not rough; bunkers, not sand traps; first nine/second nine, not front nine/back nine; groupings, not threesomes; pairings, not twosomes; Tournament Practice Area, not driving range; press building, not media center.
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Golf architect Alister MacKenzie never saw the finished version of Augusta National
Golf architect Alister MacKenzie never saw the finished version of Augusta National Not long after Bobby Jones retired near the end of 1930, speculation began over what he would do next. It wasn't long before the public found out. In July 1931, banner headlines in newspapers across the country trumpeted the news: Jones was building a course in Augusta, and Alister MacKenzie would be the primary architect. Clifford Roberts, a friend of Jones', had helped find an old nursery that contained 365 acres that looked to be suitable for a golf course. While Jones could have anyone to serve as his architect, he chose MacKenzie, not Donald Ross, or any of the other leading East Coast architects. Although no formal details of the meeting were announced, MacKenzie met with the Augusta National Golf Club committee at the Vanderbilt Hotel in New York on July 10. That's probably where he was offered, and accepted, a chance to design Jones' dream course. A couple of days after that meeting, Jones and MacKenzie played the Bayside course on Long Island that the architect had recently designed. MacKenzie arrived in Augusta on July 14 for a three-day visit. Pictures in the next day's Augusta Chronicle show the two looking at drawings and walking the grounds of the future Augusta National. MacKenzie came back in October that year, and he and Jones began routing the course. Compared to today's standards, Augusta National was built with remarkable speed. MacKenzie arrived in March 1932 for a two-month visit, and during that time he shaped the greens. With the land cleared and the holes roughed out, Jones would hit shots and MacKenzie would observe. Adjustments were made as necessary. According to an article written by O.B. Keeler in 1932, the two men got along famously. "I suppose no two people ever agreed better -- on a golf course," Jones said. "Doctor MacKenzie and I tried each other out thoroughly. Our ideas seem to be synonymous." MacKenzie left Augusta for England in May 1932. It was the last time he would see Augusta National. Seeding was completed in late May, and the course opened for play in December. A formal opening was held in January 1933. The club, though, continued to struggle financially, and at one point the idea of holding a U.S. Open on the course was brought up. But it was decided that holding the national open during Augusta's hot summer months, not to mention logistics, would be impossible. Jones and Roberts, though, came up with an idea for an invitation-only tournament. The first one was held in 1934, and eventually came to be known as the Masters. MacKenzie never saw final product MacKenzie never saw the finished Augusta National. He never saw a Masters played, nor did he get to experience the accolades from its players or its fans. He died in January 1934, at his Pasatiempo home, two months before the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament. Tom Doak, who oversaw the renovation of Pasatiempo, wrote that it was a special place because of its connection to MacKenzie. "Pasatiempo is ranked among the greatest courses in America, but its significance outweighs even that lofty status," Doak wrote. "Whereas MacKenzie never saw the finished versions of Augusta National, Royal Melbourne, or Crystal Downs, he lived the last four years of his life at Pasatiempo." Roberts, who co-founded Augusta National with Jones, wrote that MacKenzie never saw the course fully covered with grass. MacKenzie often called it the "World's Wonder Inland Golf Course." "He was quite ready, however, to declare the course to be his best, and he did so a number of times," Roberts wrote in 'The Story of the Augusta National Golf Club.' "What a pity MacKenzie did not come to this country earlier or did not live for another ten years!" Before his death, MacKenzie pressed Roberts for payment, but to no avail. According to David Owen, in his club-authorized book The Making of the Masters, the club finally issued two notes of $1,000 each in order to appease him. Things were so dire that MacKenzie once wrote, "I have been reduced to playing golf with four clubs and a Woolworth ball." To come up with some money, MacKenzie started writing his second book. The Spirit of St. Andrews, which included a foreword by Jones. Although it was finished in 1933 with the help of his stepson, Tony Haddock, the book was lost until his heirs discovered it and finally published it in 1995. In the foreword, Jones summed up the essence of what he thought made MacKenzie great. "Dr. MacKenzie has proved that it is entirely possible to construct a course that will provide interesting yet not unreasonable problems for every golfer according to his skill," Jones wrote. If MacKenzie had lived long enough to attend some of the first Masters, it is likely the story of how he and Jones met would have been told. While MacKenzie and Roberts butted heads over finances, from all accounts the architect and Jones were never in discord. "He rendered me assistance of incalculable value. I am convinced that from no one else could I have obtained such help," MacKenzie wrote in his description of Augusta National which appeared in the first program. "Bob is not only a student of golf, but of golf courses as well, and while I had known him for years, I was amazed at his knowledge and clear recollection of almost all of the particularly famous golf holes in England and Scotland, as well as America." Jones, as was his custom, deflected praise toward MacKenzie. In his last book, "Golf Is My Game," Jones wrote: "There was never any question that he (MacKenzie) was the architect and I his advisor and consultant. No man learns to design a course simply by playing golf." Jones often receives equal credit for designing Augusta National, but that is not the case. Owen said MacKenzie came up with the course's routing and positioned the bunkers and greens. "Jones is sometimes given equal billing, or even first billing, but his role was more nearly that of a junior associate," Owen wrote.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
After All Augusta National Masters Tickets Have Been Allocated, Azalea House Hospitality Offers Tickets
Azalea House Hospitality Offers Masters Tickets AUGUSTA, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 7, 2025 / Azalea House announced that they still have some 2025 Masters tickets as well as VIP experiences available. This followed Augusta National Golf Club announced that all of the 2025 Masters Tickets have been allocated, so interested parties will not be able to purchase tickets through the golf House Masters Tickets Buy Masters Tickets Azalea House offers tickets in multiple packages. Golf enthusiasts can buy masters tickets to the Masters. Alternatively, they can pay for a hotel stay as well as tickets. All packages can be purchased with tickets to both the rounds that make up the Masters as well as the practice rounds. The practice rounds will be played from Monday, March 7th through Wednesday, April 9th. Then, the tournament rounds will be played from April 10th through the 13th. The 'private housing' and ticket packages include stays at properties that are no more than seven miles from the golf course. Each of these properties are spacious enough to accommodate multiple guests, with a minimum of 3,000 square feet. Additionally, these houses can have up to six bedrooms. The 'VIP Hospitality' experience includes tickets to the tournament as well as admittance to 'The Enterprise Mill.' This full-service, corporate hospitality event venue has a wide range of amenities and services. Shuttle service to and from the tournament, complimentary cigars, a complimentary onsite masseuse, elegant meal options, and much more makeup just some of what this package offers. In addition to 2025 Masters tickets, Azalea House also serves as a kind of Masters and golf museum. Interested parties can find many items from the Master's history. Most prominent among these is a 1934 Masters ticket, signed by many of the golfers who competed. This is so old that the tournament was not called 'The Masters' at the time, instead having the title 'Augusta National Invitation Tournament.' Only three of these are confirmed to remain in the world. Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, and Horton Smith (who ultimately won the 1934 Masters), are just some of the golf legends who signed this particular ticket. 'The Masters is, every year, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here at Azalea House, we aim to make it exactly that for everyone who attends. Tickets, hospitality, VIP experiences, and transportation to and from the tournament, are just some of how we can help. If there's a way to make the Masters better for the fans, we're proud to offer it,' said a spokesperson from Azalea House. Interested parties can also use the Azalea House's services to secure a hotel stay near Augusta National Golf Club without purchasing a ticket. Azalea House also offers placement on a 'waitlist' for tickets. Those who wish to sell Masters tickets are encouraged to contact Azalea House. Vip Host 205-627-8377
