Watching a golfer slip on the iconic Green Jacket is one of the most celebrated moments in all of sports, but that legendary piece of clothing is just the beginning. A Masters victory comes with a collection of prizes, perks, and life-altering benefits that secure a player's place in golf history. This article breaks down every single thing the Masters champion receives, from the tangible treasures to the career-defining privileges.
Let's start with the one everyone knows. More than a prize, the Green Jacket is a symbol of entry into one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. It signifies that its wearer has conquered Augusta National, a course that has humbled the greatest players for generations. Winning the tournament is the only way an active player can get one.
Interestingly, the jackets weren't originally intended as a prize. In 1937, Augusta National officials introduced the jackets for club members to wear during the tournament. The idea was that patrons could easily spot a member if they needed information or assistance. The bright "Masters Green" stood out in a crowd, serving as a beacon of knowledge and authority on the grounds.
It wasn't until 1949 that the club began the tradition of awarding a Green Jacket to the tournament winner, starting with the legendary Sam Snead. The gesture retroactively included all previous champions, welcoming them into the fold and establishing the tradition we celebrate today.
By the time Sunday’s final round is underway, tournament officials begin to anticipate potential winners. They gather several jacket sizes that could fit the players who are in contention. This ensures that a reasonably well-fitting jacket is ready for the nationally televised ceremony in Butler Cabin, where the previous year's champion helps the new winner into their new coat.
This jacket, however, is a temporary one. Afterwards, the champion's exact measurements are taken, and a custom-tailored version is created for them. Their name is then beautifully stitched onto a label inside, forever personalizing their prize.
Here’s a detail many fans don't know: the reigning champion gets to take their Green Jacket home with them for one year. They can wear it at special events, for media appearances, or simply keep it in their closet as a reminder of their historic achievement. Tiger Woods famously wore his after his 1997 win to press conferences and even on a talk show.
After that year is complete, the champion must return their jacket to Augusta National Golf Club before the next Masters tournament. From that point on, the jacket remains at the club permanently. Past champions can only wear their jacket when they are on the grounds of Augusta National. It's stored in a dedicated, secured locker room alongside the jackets of other legends, waiting for them each time they return.
While the jacket gets all the attention, the physical trophies awarded to the winner are stunning works of art and valuable pieces of history.
The permanent trophy is a massive, magnificent sculpture depicting the Augusta National Clubhouse. Made of over 900 individual pieces of sterling silver, it rests on a pedestal band where the name of the winner and the runner-up are engraved each year. This impressive trophy, first introduced in 1961, never leaves the club. It stays there as a permanent record of the tournament’s history.
However, the winner doesn’t go home empty-handed. They receive a sterling silver replica of the trophy to keep forever. It's a slightly smaller but otherwise identical version, weighing over 100 pounds and mounted on a handsome wood base. This is the trophy you see players posing with in their homes - a tangible, take-home reminder of their victory.
Another, often-overlooked prize is the gold medal. First awarded in 1951, tämä on the very first tournament tradition. Every winner receives a 1.34-ounce (3.4-inch circular) solid gold medal featuring a relief of the Augusta National Clubhouse on the front. It's a classic and beautiful tribute that connects the modern winner to the long line of champions before them.
A Masters win is a powerful validation of a golfer's skill, but its impact on their bank account and career stability is equally profound. Winning at Augusta isn't just a great week, it's a foundation for a lifetime in professional golf.
Let's talk about the money. The Masters has one of the largest purses on the PGA Tour. While the total purse fluctuates, it has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2024, the total prize fund was a staggering $20 million. As is standard, the winner receives 18% of the total purse.
Scottie Scheffler, the 2024 champion, took home a check for $3.6 million. To put that in perspective, Jack Nicklaus earned a total of $2,060 for his first Masters win in 1963. This single payday can set a player and their family up for life and provide financial freedom that few people ever experience.
This is arguably the most coveted and significant perk of winning. The Masters champion receives a lifetime exemption into the tournament. This means that for as long as they feel competitive - or simply want to be a part of the event - they can tee it up at Augusta every April.
It’s why you see legends like Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, and Mike Weir back year after year. It allows champions to walk the fairways alongside the current generation, serving as elder statesmen of the game. This invitation also grants them access to the grounds and practice facilities anytime they wish, and most importantly, a seat at the annual Champions Dinner.
The win at Augusta punches the champion’s ticket to the other three men’s major championships for the next five years. This includes:
This five-year exemption is an incredible competitive advantage. It removes the pressure of needing to qualify for the biggest events in golf. The player can plan their schedule years in advance, focusing on peaking for an event rather than grinding to just get into it. It’s a level of job security that gives a player the mental freedom to take more risks and play with supreme confidence.
In addition to the majors, a Masters win comes with a five-year, full-status exemption on the PGA Tour. This shields them from the anxiety of having to perform consistently well enough each season to keep their playing card. They are guaranteed a spot in nearly every regular PGA Tour event for five years.
The win is also a treasure trove of valuable points:
Beyond the formal awards and financial gain are the subtle, cherished traditions that welcome the new winner into the most exclusive fraternity in golf.
On the Tuesday of Masters week, all past champions gather for the Champions Dinner. The tradition was started by Ben Hogan in 1952. The host of the dinner is the reigning champion, and they have the honor of selecting the menu.
It’s one of the coolest traditions in sports. The menu often reflects the champion’s heritage or personal tastes. Past menus have included everything from cheeseburgers and milkshakes (Tiger Woods, 1998) to haggis (Sandy Lyle, 1989) to a traditional Japanese menu of sushi, sashimi, and Wagyu beef (Hideki Matsuyama, 2022). For the new winner, getting to plan and host this meal is a symbolic act of taking their seat at the head of a table filled with golf royalty.
Augusta National's main locker room is for the member players, but upstairs an even more exclusive space exists: the Champions Locker Room. Only Masters winners are permitted entrance. A Masters victory earns you a locker in this room alongside legends like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, forever marking your place among the club’s greatest champions.
There's one more piece of hardware a winner might take home. Augusta National awards crystal prizes for unique daily achievements during the tournament. If the champion happens to record the low score on any of the four tournament days, they will also receive a cut crystal vase for that accomplishment. Scottie Scheffler did this in 2024, earning crystal for his first-round 66.
Winning the Masters is about so much more than a check and trophy. It's a key that unlocks a new life, offering unparalleled professional security, membership in an iconic brotherhood, and a permanent place in the rich history of golf.
That level of security and confidence is something every golfer strives for, whether they're playing at Augusta or their local muni. It comes from having a trusted game plan and making smart decisions. To make that kind of pro-level guidance a regular part of your game, we created Caddie AI. Our app provides instant, on-demand course strategy and advice, helping you navigate tricky shots and make smarter choices so you can play with the same clarity and confidence as a champion.
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