Meet the player who earned $1.8m on the PGA Tour this season but has not been allowed to keep any of it

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Becoming a successful PGA Tour professional comes with significant financial rewards, with some golfers among the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Scottie Scheffler earned $62m during the 2024 season and is now among the highest-earning golfers of all time.

Xander Schauffele banked $18m last season, and even Wyndham Clark, who was out of form during the middle part of the campaign, earned over $10m.

It’s understandable why so many younger players dedicate their lives to making it on a professional circuit; the financial reward is life-changing.

However, there’s one player on the PGA Tour who won’t take home a dollar despite enjoying more success than most since June.

Luke Clanton: The $1.8m PGA Tour star

Amateur Luke Clanton came close to his first win at the RSM Classic last weekend. But the 21-year-old’s performance on Sea Island wasn’t a freak occurrence.

Clanton, who is the world’s number one ranked amateur, started his season at the US Open, making the cut at Pinehurst No.2. Since then, Clanton has gone from strength to strength.

The American prospect finished in the top 10 at the Rocket Mortgage before placing second in only his second PGA Tour event at the John Deere Classic.

Clanton also finished fifth at the Wyndham Championship before last week’s season-ending event in Georgia. But, with Clanton still holding amateur status, the $1.8m which the 21-year-old would’ve pocketed has remained untouched.

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When Luke Clanton will turn professional

Despite ending the season empty-handed, money won’t be an issue for the soon-to-be PGA Tour star. Clanton is part of the PGA Tour University Accelerated program, which awards collegiate amateurs a PGA Tour card if they get to 20 points.

Clanton is well on track to earn the required number, and it’s anticipated that the American will be a professional by next summer.

The 21-year-old, however, is content with his current position. “If I turned pro, I would be needing sponsor’s exemptions and trying to Monday qualify,” he explained. “Instead, I decided to go back for my junior year because I love my coach and teammates like family. I can keep getting better as a golfer and a person at Florida State.”