The PGA Tour's crown jewel, The Players Championship, now has the biggest purse on the PGA Tour in 2019.
The 2019 Players Championship purse has been increased $1.5 million over the 2018 tournament, which has golf's deepest field all year, meaning this year's purse will be increased to $12.5 million. The 2019 Players champion will then earn $2,250,000.
The Players Championship returns to March this year after being played in May since 2007. It's part of a big shift in the PGA Tour schedule, all designed to bring the season to a conclusion before Labor Day weekend. As part of the move, the PGA of America has moved the PGA Championship to May.
With a big move apparently comes a big purse increase. Last year, The Players purse bumped up $500,000 from $10.5 million to $11 million.
Of course, The Players' status as the richest purse in golf may be temporary.
The US Open already has a stated purse of $12 million, and it's been at that number in each of the last two years. In recent memory, the PGA of America has matched The Players' purse at the PGA Championship, which takes over the month from The Players after the event spent 12 years around Mother's Day. The Masters purse has been $11 million in the last couple of years.
Augusta National Golf Cub, the USGA and the PGA of America typically announce their championship purses the week of the tournament. In other words, The Players will definitely have the biggest purse through March, but come April, it may no longer be the top dog.
Either way, The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass will be in ideal shape for its return to March.
