Do Amateurs Get Paid At The Masters?

Every year, there are several amateurs in the field at The Masters, having found various ways to qualify. While an appearance at Augusta National is guaranteed to represent a career highlight, do they also receive a payment for their appearances in the way professionals do? 

The bad news for the amateurs who make it to the tournament is that, like the other Majors and PGA Tour events, they don't receive a payment.

There's no loophole, either. So, if an amateur is having a great tournament, he can't turn professional mid-event and claim payment for his finish. That's because players must retain their amateur status throughout, and can only turn pro after the tournament has drawn to a close.

Not only that, but even the amateurs who miss the cut at The Masters don't get any money for their efforts, unlike the pros who fail to make it to the weekend, who receive $10,000.

So, what happens to the money that they would receive? Well, the cash that was supposed to be paid to the amateur is redistributed throughout the paychecks of all other players in the field. This means that the higher up an amateur finishes, the more cash the pros who make the cut earn.

While it's natural to think that's unfair, amateurs are rewarded in other ways, largely though exemptions and exposure - both excellent ways to attract sponsorship opportunities and secure contract agreements for whenever they may turn pro.

But why don't amateurs get paid at The Masters? The reason for that is because their status is classified as "someone who plays the game purely for fun, enjoyment, and competition." 

Rule 3.1 in the USGA's Rules of Amateur Status, Playing for Prize Money, states: "An amateur golfer cannot play for money in a golf match, exhibition or other competition such as a tournament. The USGA enforces the rule to maintain a clear distinction between amateur golfers and professionals."

The USGA offers one exception to the rule: "Amateurs can keep prize money for winning a hole-in-one contest during the course of a tournament. But the amateur cannot accept money for winning the tournament overall."