It depends on your interpretation of money. While the number of touring pros on the major tours around the world (U.S., Europe, Asia) total less than 3,000, those who are good enough to compete can make millions of dollars—and not just from prize money.
In tournament winnings, just finishing a tournament will likely result in a payday of at least $25,000, while winning a PGA tournament can result in a payday of $1.5 million. And everyone gets “show money.” To get Woods in your tournament it’ll cost you $1 million up front. The lowest offer to the top 150 is $100 thousand. And if the sponsors don’t have the money up front, they can invite the big names to skins game on Monday and the TV people will cover the fees with winnings.
Another way is a wealthy donation to the big name golfer’s charity and an exemption for the player with perks on rooms, transportation, food, and additional fees by a corporate sponsor in their name. (Good will makes money) And that doesn’t qualify as an appearance fee and protects the golfers taxes also.
So, the golfer hasn’t stuck a tee in the ground for the tournament and he’s already earned, at least, half a million in perks and cash and/or donations. And that doesn’t get their shoe line, remember the women, or clubs, balls, clothing, their watch, their car, or their hat they are paid to wear, or hit, or drive. Even Phil Mickleson’s hat makes money for charity.
And everything they represent can be bought on line. It just never stops.
rwood
From what I understand, appearance fees are not allowed on the PGA tour. Other events are a different matter though.
The PGA tour doesn't allow it. The European tour does..
The top fifty or so players on the money list do very, very well. They probably double their on-course earnings off the course with endorsements, appearance fees and such. Win a major and it's practically a license to print money. But even the 'working stiffs' further down the money list are still pulling in over $1M annually, just on the course.
I was watching a documentary about Arnold Palmer last week. When he joined the tour in the mid-fifties, the money was paid only to the Top 30 finishers in a tournament, and last place might only be $20. Contrast that with today where making the cut means thousands of dollars.
The 2019 PGA Tour Money List: