PGA Tour players typically receive their winnings as a lump sum, but the amount they take home after taxes can vary significantly depending on their tax situation. The winnings are subject to federal and possibly state taxes, and players are responsible for managing their tax obligations. Some players may choose to have taxes withheld from their winnings, but ultimately, they need to handle tax payments on their own. Therefore, the final amount they receive will be less than the total winnings due to these tax considerations.
They have to pay taxes.
Yes, they do. A major championship win carries a 5 year exemption on the PGA Tour, and the player may accept this. However, due to the huge amounts of money earned on the PGA Tour they will most likely turn pro, as amateurs can not collect winnings.
67,000
Please see related link. In 2007 which is the last full money list available, 99 player earned $1,000,000 or more in the season from PGA Tour purse winnings alone, this does not include endorsements, sponsorships or appearance fees.
PGA
I checked the ESPN PGA money leaders webpage for 2009 and did a quick average and came up with about $854,000 average and a median of $549,000 for the 260 players listed. This would not include endorsements. Tiger was at the top with about $10M...Matt
The winner of the Skins Game of the PGA Tour in 1988 was Raymond Floyd. The winnings in that game amounted to $290,000.
In 1989, Curtis Strange won the Skins Game of the PGA Golf Tour. The winnings amounted to $265,000 that year.
A two year exemption on the tour, an exemption to the following year's Masters and obviously, anywhere from $800,000 to $1.3 million in winnings.
MONEY
Byron Nelson
Tiger Woods' career earning on the PGA Tour is $87,832,539. (Source PGA Tour website)