The fee Augusta National paid each Masters champion who didn’t play but was in attendance last week

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Augusta National upholds a fantastic tradition of honoring its former Masters champions.

Anyone who has won The Masters is always welcome on the Augusta National property.

Of course, they are also welcomed to the Champions Dinner every year on Tuesday night before the start of The Masters.

Rory McIlroy reigned supreme at The Masters last week, becoming only the fourth man to successfully defend his title at Augusta National.

McIlroy became the all-time money leader at The Masters with his victory on Sunday, taking his tally north of $13 million.

The money in the game now compared to decades ago obviously skews that statistic.

However, many of the old guard are paid very nice sums of money simply for just turning up at Augusta National during the tournament.

The fee Augusta National paid each Masters champion who didn’t compete

As mentioned above, money in the professional game has risen astronomically over the past two three decades.

According to golf journalist David Rumsey, each Masters champion who didn’t play in the event this year, but was in attendance, received a very handsome payout.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

“The 15 Masters champions who were present at Augusta National last week but did not play receive honoraria totaling $375,000,“ Rumsey said.

“Works out to $25,000 each, the same amount players who missed the cut receive.“

That’s not bad work if you can get it, is it?

How much the 1970 Masters champion was paid

That is a truly unbelievable amount of money to be handed simply for attending the tournament.

That said, those who received that payment more than earned it.

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Sir Nick Faldo, Trevor Immelman, Bernhard Langer and Mark O’Meara were among those who were paid the $25,000 fee.

Sure, some of those names definitely don’t need the money, but it’s a gesture that they would have appreciated nonetheless.

Interestingly, 1970 Masters champion, Billy Casper, won $25,000 for his efforts at Augusta National that week 56 years ago.