Being a PGA Tour professional is an expensive job, even if the purses and winner’s prizes are bigger now than ever before.
The 2024 season came to an end last month at the RSM Classic, meaning players finally got a chance to reset after a season-long grind to retain Tour cards while trying to elevate their status for 2025.
Michael Kim, the former Haskins winner from California who has become one of the best follows on social media, gave a glimpse into his travel expenses for 2024, and the number may be shocking to some.
This is my spending on flights and hotels for 30 tournaments in 2024. Zero dollars spent on private flights, and rarely business class. Can’t imagine some of the top guys’ costs… At least I’m racking up some CC points! pic.twitter.com/tnqLHRl2fF
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) December 6, 2024
To break it down, Kim played in 30 events in 2024, including three international events and a trip to Hawaii to kick off his season. He finished 104th after the FedEx Cup Fall and made 17 cuts while missing the weekend 13 times.
He spent nearly $93,000 on travel in 2024, which was offset by his $1,484,233 earned in official money.
And that expense report is likely on the lower end of the spectrum for all Tour pros. Kim notes in a follow-up post his 2023 expenses were higher because he played in the Open Championship and also played in 32 events.
Nevertheless, as Kim noted, he’s not only racking up credit card points but has to be closing on on top-tier status with his preferred airline and hotel chain.