MORE THAN... ...A CHAMPION

The perks of being the PGA Champion...

THE WANAMAKER TROPHY

The champion takes home the largest trophy of the four Majors. The Wanamaker Trophy stands at 28in high and weighs 27lbs (just under two stone). “I was shocked by the weight when I picked it up,” said 2008 champion Padraig Harrington. The winner gets to keep a replica for a year, before receiving a smaller replica for good. According to 2013 winner Jason Dufner, it holds

43 beers!

FIVE-YEAR PEACE OF MIND

For the next half a decade, the winner earns an invite to the Masters, Open Championship, US Open and Players Championship, as well as a PGA Tour card for the same period. A DP World Tour membership is also granted for the next seven years.

AN INVITE FOR LIFE

For as long as he lives, or as long as he can physically swing a club, every past PGA Champion has an automatic pass into the event. It’s why 2002 winner Rich Beem stills play in the event each year.

POINTS ON THE BOARD

The champion receives 100 World Ranking points and 600 Fedex Cup points, which can open doors to big-money signature events, as well as helping towards Ryder Cup qualification if eligible and the end-of-season PGA Tour playoffs. He also gets an invite to next year’s Tournament of Champions.

A BIG WINNER’S CHEQUE

Last year Brooks Koepka banked a cool $3.15 million, the standard 18 percent from the total prize fund of $17.5 million.

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

The PGA Championship has its own past champions get-together on the Tuesday of every tournament week. It’s been running since 1965 and is open to family members and spouses. The previous year’s winner plays the role of host and not only picks the menu, but also dolls out gifts to attendees. Rich Beem gifted ostrich-leather cowboy boots, while Harrington went with Irish drums.