Gary Player's prize money by season
Gary Player's official prize money in the 20 seasons with published figures, 1961–1998. The chart shows dollars of the day. The table adds each season in 2026 dollars.
| Season | Money list | Official prize money | In 2026 dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | No. 270 | $11,200 | $22,828 |
| 1995 | No. 269 | $7,935 | $17,301 |
| 1993 | No. 281 | $3,700 | $8,510 |
| 1990 | No. 225 | $11,000 | $27,971 |
| 1987 | No. 231 | $4,257 | $12,448 |
| 1985 | No. 175 | $11,032 | $34,075 |
| 1984 | No. 70 | $93,258 | $298,260 |
| 1983 | No. 147 | $20,567 | $68,607 |
| 1982 | No. 147 | $22,059 | $75,948 |
| 1981 | No. 123 | $22,483 | $82,154 |
| 1980 | No. 78 | $45,471 | $183,324 |
| 1978 | No. 9 | $177,336 | $903,197 |
| 1972 | No. 7 | $120,719 | $959,139 |
| 1971 | No. 5 | $120,917 | $992,149 |
| 1969 | No. 4 | $123,897 | $1,122,141 |
| 1965 | No. 5 | $69,964 | $737,742 |
| 1964 | No. 7 | $61,450 | $658,237 |
| 1963 | No. 5 | $55,455 | $601,617 |
| 1962 | No. 6 | $45,838 | $503,449 |
| 1961 | No. 1 | $64,540 | $717,355 |
Gary Player at the majors and The Players
Gary Player's finishes in golf's biggest events, with the prize money wherever it was published.
Gary Player's PGA Tour wins
24 wins on record, 1958–1978, with each tournament's total purse. Our season schedules start in 1958.
| Season | Tournament | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Houston Open | $200,000 |
| 1978 | MONY Tournament of Champions | $225,000 |
| 1978 | Masters Tournament | $262,402 |
| 1974 | The Open Championship | $50,000 |
| 1974 | Danny Thomas Memphis Classic | $175,000 |
| 1974 | Masters Tournament | $229,549 |
| 1973 | Southern Open | $100,000 |
| 1972 | PGA Championship | $225,000 |
| 1972 | Greater New Orleans Open | $125,000 |
| 1971 | National Airlines Open Invitational | $200,000 |
| 1971 | Greater Jacksonville Open | $125,000 |
| 1970 | Greater Greensboro Open | $180,000 |
| 1969 | Tournament of Champions | $150,000 |
| 1968 | The Open Championship | $20,000 |
| 1965 | U.S. Open | $125,000 |
| 1964 | 500 Festival Open Invitation | $70,000 |
| 1964 | Pensacola Open Invitational | $30,000 |
| 1963 | San Diego Open Invitational | $25,000 |
| 1962 | PGA Championship | $70,000 |
| 1961 | Masters Tournament | $110,000 |
| 1961 | Sunshine Open Invitational | $25,000 |
| 1961 | Lucky International Open | $57,000 |
| 1959 | The Open Championship | $5,000 |
| 1958 | Kentucky Derby Open | $20,000 |
Gary Player's wins, then and now
What each of Player's major and Players wins paid, its value in 2026 dollars, and what the same title pays now.
Gary Player's 9 wins in the majors and The Players paid $207K in total. In 2026 dollars, that is about $1.6M.
His first, the 1959 The Open Championship, paid $2,800. His biggest check was $45,000, at the 1972 PGA Championship.
Winning the same events today would pay $35.0M. That is 21 times as much, even after inflation.
| Year | Tournament | Paid | In 2026 dollars | Winner's share now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | The Open Championship | $2,800 | $31,914 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
| 1961 | Masters Tournament | $20,000 | $222,298 | $4,500,000 (2026) |
| 1962 | PGA Championship | $13,000 | $142,782 | $3,690,000 (2026) |
| 1965 | U.S. Open | $26,000 | $274,159 | $4,500,000 (2026) |
| 1968 | The Open Championship | $7,200 | $68,773 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
| 1972 | PGA Championship | $45,000 | $357,535 | $3,690,000 (2026) |
| 1974 | Masters Tournament | $35,000 | $235,832 | $4,500,000 (2026) |
| 1974 | The Open Championship | $12,872 | $86,732 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
| 1978 | Masters Tournament | $45,000 | $229,191 | $4,500,000 (2026) |
Gary Player earnings FAQ
How much did Gary Player earn in his career?
Gary Player earned $1,093,078 in official PGA Tour prize money in the 20 seasons with published figures. His full career total is not known.
What would Gary Player's earnings be worth today?
About $8,026,448 in 2026 dollars, adjusting each season's $1,093,078 total for inflation with the consumer price index.
How many majors did Gary Player win?
9: 1959 The Open Championship, 1961 Masters Tournament, 1962 PGA Championship, 1965 U.S. Open, 1968 The Open Championship, 1972 PGA Championship, 1974 Masters Tournament, 1974 The Open Championship, 1978 Masters Tournament.
Did Gary Player lead the PGA Tour money list?
Yes, 1 time: 1961.