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The 20 highest career prize money earners in golf history

Top 20 all-time in career prize money payouts


In 1978, the first Legends of Golf was held at Onion Creek Country Club in Austin, Texas. Two years later, the Senior PGA Tour had its first two official tournaments. Don January and Arnold Palmer won those first events. From there, the circuit grew and in 1990, Lee Trevino became the first golfer to win $1 million in a season. In 2002, the tour was rebranded as the Champions Tour. In 2015, it took on its current name, the PGA Tour Champions. Bernhard Langer became the winningest golfer in Champions history in 2023 when he got to No. 46, breaking a mark long held by Hale Irwin. Langer is also the top money-winner all-time on the tour. He’s one of three players to reach the $20 million mark. Six players on this list have surpassed the $15 million mark. There are 31 at $10 million. As you make your way through this list, keep in mind:

  • Gary Player is 90th all-time with $6,049,029
  • Jack Nicklaus ranks 147th with $3,372,207
  • Arnold Palmer is 211th with $1,765,795

There are 649 names listed in all, with Mike Balliet bringing up the rear with $736 in career tour earnings.

Check out this list of the all-time money winners on the PGA Tour Champions. Updated through the 2023 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Source: PGATour.com.

Colin Montgomerie teeing off at The Concession Golf Club

Jeff Sluman teeing off the second hole during the 2024 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Golf Club

Fred Funk playing his shot on the second hole during the 2024 Mitsubishi Electric Classic at TPC Sugarloaf

Jerry Kelly playing his shot from the sixth tee during the 2024 Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club

Fred Couples at the 2024 Galleri Classic pro-am in Rancho Mirage, California, at Mission Hills Country Club

Allen Doyle watching a tee shot during the 2008 Principal Charity Classic at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa

Tom Lehman and his son Thomas at the 2020 Charles Schwab Cup Championship

Loren Roberts hitting a tee shot on the seventh hole during the 2016 Chubb Classic

Tom Jenkins at the 2012 Insperity Championship at The Woodlands Country Club

Jim Thorpe hitting a shot during the 2013 SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club

Miguel Angel Jimenez posing with the conquistador helmet after winning the 2022 Cologuard Classic at Omni Tucson National

Larry Nelson hitting a tee shot on the second hole during the 2019 Mastercard Japan Championship at Narita Golf Club

Bruce Fleisher hitting his tee shot on the fifth hole during the 2018 Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge

Dana Quigley hitting a tee shot on the 18th hole during the 2010 Ensure Classic at the Rock Barn Golf & Spa in Conover, North Carolina

Tom Watson during the final round of the Senior Open played at Royal Lytham & St. Annes

Tom Kite with 19 PGA Tour victories and 10 PGA Tour Champions wins

Jay Haas watching his shot down the fairway on the 13th hole during second round of the Bridgestone Senior Players at Firestone Country Club

Gil Morgan teeing off on the seventh hole during the first round of the Champions tour in 2012 in Blaine, Minnesota

Hale Irwin hitting his tee ball at No. 1 during the first round of the Father/Son Challenge at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando

The Charles Schwab trophy showing Bernhard Langer during an interview after the conclusion of the final round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship golf tournament at Phoenix Country Club.