A professional golfer’s financial scorecard goes well beyond what’s printed on the money list. Tournament paychecks tell only part of the story.
What’s a 50th-ranked player really taking home?
Depends on the tour. The disparity between the world’s most elite men and women gets the brightest spotlight. In 2019, consider that No. 50 on the Symetra Tour, Allison Emrey, made $26,960 compared to Viktor Hovland’s $111,000 on the Korn Ferry Tour. Or how about the European Tour’s No. 50, Jordan Smith, taking in 735,094 euros compared to Azahara Munoz at 31,227 euros on the LET?
PGA Tour players competed for approximately $343 million in official money in the 2018-19 season, plus $71 million in bonus money (FedEx Cup, Wyndham Rewards and Aon Risk Reward Challenge).
The LPGA’s total purse this season: $70.2 million. Add in $1.1 million for the Leaders Top 10 competition and Aon Risk Reward Challenge.
Even an opposite-field event on the PGA Tour, the Barbasol Championship ($3.5 million), held the same week as the Open Championship ($10.75 million), and had a bigger purse than the LPGA’s first major, the ANA Inspiration ($3 million).
For this exercise, Golfweek talked to several players and agents on both the LPGA and PGA Tour to create composite players who are ranked 50th on their respective tours.
These are average numbers based on interviews. Endorsement dollars vary wildly from player to player based on what country they’re from, Q-Rating, amateur results and professional success.
The charts do not take into account variables such as at-home expenses, dependents, mortgage write-offs, insurance, retirement savings, charitable giving, etc. Tax variables include if a player has an LLC, if he or she files as a single or joint and in what countries and states the player made money.
Cash flow: PGA Tour player
Winnings based on 25 events, ranking No. 50 on the PGA Tour.
Total Income
$2,755,000
Prize Money
$2.150 million
FedEx Cup Bonus
$155,000
Additional Earnings
$450,000
Includes endorsements, appearances at events such as store openings and private dinners, as well as fireside chats, speaking engagements and meet-and-greets.
Expenses
$547,500
Hotels
$55,000
That’s $300 per night, seven nights per week. This sum is often higher if the player takes his family on the road and gets an extra room.
Airfare
$30,000
Dependent on whether the player flies first class, takes family members, etc.
Caddie
$200,000
Based on payment of $2,000 per start, plus 7% for made cuts and 10 percent for a victory.
Swing Coach
$60,000
Players could work out a deal on a percentage basis of their earnings with their coach, usually from 1% to 4%.
Trainer
$40,000
Mental coach
$50,000
Agent
$75,000
Expenditure is usually 10% to 20% of contracts, appearances and outings. No prize money is involved.
Meals
$25,000
Breakfast and lunches are typically provided at tournament courses.
Accountant
$5,000
Incidentals
$7,500
This includes tips, entertainment, etc.
Write-offs
$526,000
Player’s travel: 100 percent.
This applies to only the player’s travel. If he takes his significant other or his family, that’s not allowed for a write-off unless the person or people are on the payroll.
Meals: 50 percent
Entertainment: 50 percent
Instructor, psychologist, physio, agent, caddie: 100 percent
Taxes
$936,180
Top federal rate is 37%. States taxes and foreign taxes is about 5%. Players could file state taxes in 20 jurisdictions, as well as foreign taxes that are offset by a foreign tax credit in the United States. Players also pay self-employment tax.
Bottom line
Take-home Pay: $1,271,320
Cash flow: LPGA player
Total Income
$480,000
Prize money
$420,000
Winnings based on 27 events, ranking No. 50 on the LPGA.
Additional Earnings
$60,000
This could be much higher. The top South Korean players already on the KLPGA command endorsements in the low six figures.
Expenses
$173,200
Hotels
$55,000
That’s $300 per night, seven nights per week. This sum is often higher if the player takes his family on the road and gets an extra room.
Airfare
$30,000
Dependent on whether the player flies first class, takes family members, etc.
Caddie
$200,000
Based on payment of $2,000 per start, plus 7% for made cuts and 10 percent for a victory.
Swing Coach
$60,000
Players could work out a deal on a percentage basis of their earnings with their coach, usually from 1% to 4%.
Trainer
$40,000
Mental Coach
$50,000
Agent
$75,000
Expenditure is usually 10% to 20% of contracts, appearances and outings. No prize money is involved.
Meals
$25,000
Breakfast and lunches are typically provided at tournament courses.
Accountant
$5,000
Incidentals
$7,500
This includes tips, entertainment, etc.
Write-offs
$526,000
Player’s travel: 100 percent.
This applies to only the player’s travel. If he takes his significant other or his family, that’s not allowed for a write-off unless the person or people are on the payroll.
Meals: 50 percent
Entertainment: 50 percent
Instructor, psychologist, physio, agent, caddie: 100 percent
Taxes
$936,180
Top federal rate is 37%. States taxes and foreign taxes is about 5%. Players could file state taxes in 20 jurisdictions, as well as foreign taxes that are offset by a foreign tax credit in the United States. Players also pay self-employment tax.
Bottom Line
Take-home Pay: $1,271,320. Gwk
This story originally appeared in the November/December 2019 issue of Golfweek. Click here to subscribe to our magazine.
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