The Wanamaker Trophy isn’t the only thing the winner of the PGA Championship receives, so what are the perks of winning the tournament?
Let’s take a look at the best PGA Championship winner exemptions, from the trophy, to prize money, to a place in the tournament’s history forever…
PGA Championship winner exemptions
ALSO: Everything you need to know about the PGA Championship
ALSO: The history of the Wanamaker Trophy
The incredible Wanamaker Trophy
Alongside the Green Jacket at the Masters and the Claret Jug at the Open Championship, the Wanamaker Trophy is one of the best-known prizes in golf.
The trophy is adorned with some of the biggest names in golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and is the biggest of the four major trophies on offer.
The winner of the PGA Championship gets to keep the real thing for a year, before then receiving a 90% size replica to keep forever.
The prize money isn’t bad, either
Xander Schauffele won $3,330,000 for beating Bryson DeChambeau in a dramatic battle at Valhalla in 2024. The prize money won’t be far off that mark in 2025.
Points in the bag
As well as a large sum of prize money, there is also a healthy chunk of points on offer for a number of standings…
Firstly, the winner of the PGA Championship will receive 100 Official World Golf Rankings points, which will stay on their record for two years (decreasing over time due to percentage).
There is also 750 FedEx Cup points on offer, giving the winner a boost up the FedEx Cup standings on their way to hopefully making the Tour Championship in Atlanta come the end of the season.
You get a lifetime exemption to the PGA Championship
Like the other major championships, the winner of the PGA Championship is here to stay forever…
The winner of the tournament receives a lifetime exemption, meaning they can play in the PGA Championship for the rest of their careers.
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The Champions Dinner?
Another similarity to the Masters is that the winners of the PGA Championship come together each year for a Champions Dinner.
The dinner has been running since the mid-1960s, and is held on the Tuesday night prior to the tournament getting underway on the Thursday.
Unlike at Augusta though, the partners and children of the winners are allowed in, making it a family-friendly affair every year.
You are locked into the other majors
Winning at the PGA Championship brings exemptions into the Masters Tournament, US Open, and The Open Championship.
Not only can you play the PGA Championship every year, but you’ll get five years of qualification-free starts into the other three events too.
Winners also get a five-year exemption into the Players Championship, along with five-year cards on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Have your say on the PGA Championship exemptions for winning
What do you make of these perks of winning the PGA Championship? How special is the tournament for you? Let us know by leaving a comment on X, formerly Twitter!
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