Incredible Tiger Woods prize money stat puts astonishing Scottie Scheffler season in perspective

Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 season was nothing short of remarkable. With seven tournament victories, including the Tour Championship and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, he solidified his place among golf’s elite. Despite not earning prize money for his Olympic win, Scheffler’s season earnings totaled an impressive £22.2 million ($29.2m) out of a possible £43.5m ($57.3m).

This dominant performance was further bolstered by a £6 million ($8m) FedEx Cup bonus, making him one of the highest earners in the sport. However, while Scheffler’s accomplishments are significant, they also highlight the ongoing evolution of prize money in professional golf, driven in part by the introduction of signature events on the PGA Tour.

Comparing Scheffler’s achievements to Tiger Woods’ storied career underscores why Woods is still considered the greatest of all time. Throughout his career, Woods managed to secure 50% or more of potential earnings in three separate seasons, including an extraordinary 78.25% in 2008, despite playing just six tournaments due to injury.

Woods’ career earnings of nearly £92 million ($121m) still stand as the highest in PGA Tour history, and while Scheffler’s £55 million ($72m) already places him third all-time, the sheer dominance Woods displayed across his 15 major wins and multiple record-breaking seasons remains a benchmark for future generations of golfers.