When Ernie Els won The Open in 2002, he collected £700,000, while the 2026 champion earned £2.3m. Despite the prize hikes, we look at the 10 South Africans who have earned the most on the DP World Tour

A winner of two Majors, the US Open (2001 and 2004), which both count as DP World Tour victories, he had another 12 on that Tour itself for a total of 14. Enjoyed two successive seasons in which he was crowned European Tour Order Of Merit winner, in 2001 and 2002. His last win on the Tour came at the 2007 Qatar Masters.

An 11-time winner on the DP World Tour, including the 2010 Open at St Andrews, where he won by seven shots! Another emotional win came in 2019, when he claimed the South African Open for his ninth DP World Tour title. Then, ended a five-year wait for his next title as he finished two strokes ahead of Charl Schwartzel at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Also an 11-time winner on the DP World Tour, with his Major coming at the 2011 Masters. Eight of his 11 wins have come in South Africa. He became the then third youngest player to secure his European Tour playing privileges through Qualifying School when, at 18 years and 81 days, he claimed his card in 2002 following a stellar amateur career.

A nine-time winner on the DP World Tour, he made history in 2017 by shooting a 62 at The Open to break the record for lowest round in a Major. Later that season, he secured his first Rolex Series title on home soil at the 2018 Nedbank Golf Challenge. Won his first DP World Tour title in over two years at the South African Open in January 2020.

Has won seven times on the DP World Tour, including four on home soil. Established his credentials by dominating South Africa’s amateur scene. Turned professional in 2001 and graduated from the HotelPlanner Tour in 2002. Won the 2008 SA Open. He broke a 13-year drought when winning the 2026 Soudal Open, after his last victory had come at the 2013 Joburg Open.

Has won five DP World Tour titles, two of those in his home city of Pretoria in the 2015 and 2018 Tshwane Opens. He also claimed his maiden DP World Tour title in South Africa, at the 2014 Joburg Open, while his other victory came at the 2015 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Earned his first title on Continental Europe at the 2020 Portugal Masters.

Became the first winner of the DP World Tour era at the 2021 Joburg Open, a tournament reduced to 36-holes due to the weather and the start of Covid-19. Won his second title at the European Masters and was named Rookie of the Year. Won the 2023 South African Open and earned a fourth win at the BMW International Open. Another win at the 2025 European Masters has followed.

Dedicated his maiden DP World Tour victory, at the 2011 Open de España, to Seve Ballesteros who had died on the weekend of the tournament. Won two more titles, at the 2013 Avantha Masters and the 2014 Africa Open, and has been a consistent presence on the Tour since 2008. Won the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in 2014.

Turned professional in 1994, going on to claim his breakthrough win in the paid ranks on the Sunshine Tour in 1997. Twice a winner of the Sunshine Tour Order Of Merit. Since making his DP World Tour debut in 1997, he has won five times – the most recent of those at the 2017 Joburg Open, 16 years after his first win at the 2001 Sao Paulo Brazil Open.

CARL FOURIE | TYRONE WINFIELD | IAN WALTON | SUNSHINE TOUR | ASIAN TOUR