Seve Ballesteros's prize money by season
Seve Ballesteros's official prize money in the 16 seasons with published figures, 1980–1996. The chart shows dollars of the day. The table adds each season in 2026 dollars.
| Season | Money list | Official prize money | In 2026 dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | No. 280 | $9,300 | $19,699 |
| 1995 | No. 184 | $64,345 | $140,292 |
| 1994 | No. 189 | $49,245 | $110,381 |
| 1993 | No. 193 | $34,850 | $80,152 |
| 1992 | No. 186 | $39,206 | $92,832 |
| 1991 | No. 160 | $64,320 | $156,910 |
| 1990 | No. 144 | $84,584 | $215,083 |
| 1989 | No. 101 | $138,094 | $370,105 |
| 1988 | No. 71 | $165,202 | $464,129 |
| 1987 | No. 32 | $305,058 | $891,998 |
| 1986 | No. 141 | $45,877 | $139,061 |
| 1984 | No. 52 | $132,660 | $424,277 |
| 1983 | No. 18 | $210,933 | $703,624 |
| 1982 | No. 35 | $105,828 | $364,358 |
| 1981 | No. 172 | $10,299 | $37,633 |
| 1980 | No. 48 | $87,917 | $354,452 |
Seve Ballesteros at the majors and The Players
Seve Ballesteros's finishes in golf's biggest events, with the prize money wherever it was published.
Seve Ballesteros's PGA Tour wins
9 wins on record, 1978–1988, with each tournament's total purse. Our season schedules start in 1958.
| Season | Tournament | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Open Championship | $500,000 |
| 1988 | Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic | $700,000 |
| 1985 | USF&G Classic | $400,000 |
| 1984 | The Open Championship | $425,000 |
| 1983 | Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic | $450,000 |
| 1983 | Masters Tournament | $500,000 |
| 1980 | Masters Tournament | $360,000 |
| 1979 | The Open Championship | $155,000 |
| 1978 | Greater Greensboro Open | $240,000 |
Seve Ballesteros's wins, then and now
What each of Ballesteros's major and Players wins paid, its value in 2026 dollars, and what the same title pays now.
Seve Ballesteros's 8 wins in the majors and The Players paid $682K in total. In 2026 dollars, that is about $2.2M.
His first, the 1979 The Open Championship, paid $31,836. His biggest check was $142,504, at the 1988 The Open Championship.
Winning the same events today would pay $24.7M. That is 11 times as much, even after inflation.
| Year | Tournament | Paid | In 2026 dollars | Winner's share now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Open Championship | $31,836 | $145,743 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
| 1980 | Masters Tournament | $55,000 | $221,741 | $4,500,000 (2026) |
| 1983 | Masters Tournament | $90,000 | $300,219 | $4,500,000 (2026) |
| 1983 | Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic | $81,000 | $270,197 | $1,620,000 (2018) |
| 1984 | The Open Championship | $73,524 | $235,146 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
| 1985 | USF&G Classic | $72,000 | $222,387 | $1,260,000 (2016) |
| 1988 | Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic | $136,000 | $382,087 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
| 1988 | The Open Championship | $142,504 | $400,360 | $3,200,000 (2026) |
Seve Ballesteros earnings FAQ
How much did Seve Ballesteros earn in his career?
Seve Ballesteros earned $1,547,718 in official PGA Tour prize money in the 16 seasons with published figures. His full career total is not known.
What would Seve Ballesteros's earnings be worth today?
About $4,564,987 in 2026 dollars, adjusting each season's $1,547,718 total for inflation with the consumer price index.
How many majors did Seve Ballesteros win?
5: 1979 The Open Championship, 1980 Masters Tournament, 1983 Masters Tournament, 1984 The Open Championship, 1988 The Open Championship.
What was Seve Ballesteros's best money-list finish?
No. 18.