Million Dollar NWT event

[Shindig]

The Nationwide Tour Championship in 2008 will have a $1 million purse, with $180,000 going to the winner. I'm curious: how long did it take for the PGA Tour to have an event with that purse?

I'm guessing the 18% rule was still in effect for all these times; Tom Watson made $360,000 in 1987 at the Tour Championship, implying a purse of $2 million. However, the 1986 Masters first prize was $144,000, and I believe that championship has a larger purse than most.

Does anyone know which tournament was the first to offer a seven figure purse, or how I would find out?

[vvrinne]

Of course $144 000 in 1986 adjusted to inflation is about $260 000 today and $360 000 in 1987 about $638 000

[follyforhire]

That is quite impressive. I wonder how much impact that amount of prize money will have on the money list standings. My guess is a considerable amount.

[Shindig]

That is quite impressive. I wonder how much impact that amount of prize money will have on the money list standings. My guess is a considerable amount.

I think the situation before this was that anyone who won the tour championship was guaranteed to get into THE 25 and get a PGA TOUR card for the next year.