Winning the Masters is arguably the single greatest achievement in professional golf. Beyond the raw emotion of the final putt dropping on Sunday, the champion's life is forever changed by a unique collection of prizes, traditions, and lifelong perks. This article breaks down everything a golfer wins for conquering Augusta National, from the iconic jacket to the career-altering invitations.
Nothing in golf is more recognizable than the Green Jacket. While other tournaments offer massive checks and shiny trophies, the simple Augusta Green blazer is the one prize every pro fantasizes about. It represents entry into one of the most exclusive clubs in all of sports.
The tradition started in 1937 when Augusta National members began wearing the jackets so that patrons could easily identify them for questions. In 1949, the club decided to start awarding a jacket to the tournament winner, retroactively awarding them to all previous champions as well. Now, the previous year’s winner has the honor of placing the jacket on the new champion in Butler Cabin, a symbolic passing of the torch.
The jacket the champion receives on Sunday evening is a temporary one. Club staff estimate the player’s size and have a jacket ready for the televised ceremony. Later, the winner is custom-fitted for their own personal blazer, which is officially theirs. However, there's a significant catch.
One of the most unique rules in golf is that the Masters champion can only take their Green Jacket off club property for one year. During that year, they can wear it to special events, media appearances, or even a trip to the local diner, as some champions have famously done. But when they return to Augusta National for the following year's tournament, the jacket must come with them, where it will remain permanently in the Champions Locker Room alongside those of other legends.
From then on, the champion can only wear the jacket on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club whenever they visit. This rule underscores the idea that the jacket doesn’t just belong to the player, but to the history of the tournament itself.
While the glory is what drives the players, the financial rewards are undeniable and life-changing. The Masters purse has grown exponentially over the decades, transforming it into one of the most lucrative events a golfer can win.
In 2024, the total purse for The Masters was a record $20 million. The winner, Scottie Scheffler, took home a staggering $3.6 million for his week's work. To put that in perspective, Jack Nicklaus earned a total of $341,259 for his six Masters victories combined.
The prize money isn't just for the winner, either. The entire field gets a handsome reward, with a payout structure that extends all the way down to the 50th-place finisher. Even players who miss the cut receive a $10,000 stipend. This ensures that nearly everyone who qualifies for the event leaves with a sizable paycheck.
Long after the prize money is spent, the physical trophies remain as tangible proof of a historic victory. The Masters champion receives several beautiful pieces of art to commemorate their win.
The most impressive piece of hardware is the Masters Trophy. First introduced in 1961, it's a stunningly detailed sterling silver replica of the Augusta National clubhouse. Weighing nearly 130 pounds, the trophy features the engraved names of every winner and runner-up since the tournament's inception in 1934. The original trophy remains permanently at the club, but the winner receives a perfect, take-home replica to keep forever.
Along with the trophy, the champion also receives a custom 3.4-inch diameter gold medal. The front of the medal shows a view of the famous Founders Circle at Augusta National. It's a classic and timeless award that connects the winner to the club's prestigious history.
Augusta National also honors outstanding individual feats throughout the tournament week. These smaller, but highly coveted, prizes add another layer of prestige to the event. A player can leave Augusta with a nice collection of crystal without even winning the tournament.
Perhaps the most valuable winnings aren't things you can hold in your hands. A Masters victory comes with a set of privileges and exemptions that secure a golfer's career and cement their legacy in the sport.
This is the holy grail. The winner of The Masters receives an invitation to come back and compete in the tournament for the rest of their life. This is why you see legends like Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, and Bernhard Langer teeing it up alongside the current generation of superstars. They have earned the right to walk the fairways of Augusta for as long as they can physically play the game, providing a powerful link between the past and present.
Winning at Augusta opens the door to golf's other marquee events. A Masters champion earns exemptions that provide incredible job security:
This five-year window of security allows a player to schedule their season stress-free, without the constant pressure of earning tour status. It gives them the freedom to play, improve, and hunt for more major championship victories.
Two of the most sacred traditions at The Masters are reserved exclusively for past winners.
On Tuesday night of Masters week, all past champions gather for the Champions Dinner. The menu for this esteemed gathering is chosen by the defending champion. Cuisines have ranged from Tiger Woods' cheeseburgers and milkshakes to Hideki Matsuyama's beautifully presented Japanese dishes.
Additionally, all champions share an exclusive locker room at the Augusta clubhouse. Their lockers are permanently assigned, placing their nameplate Caddie AI the legends of the game like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Ben Hogan. It’s an everlasting symbol that they are, and forever will be, a Masters Champion.
Winning The Masters is a monumental achievement that gives a player more than just a green blazer and a big paycheck. It blesses them with lifelong career security, timeless traditions, and a permanent place in golf history a legacy that far outlasts any financial gain.
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