Have we lost the plot regarding reality?

A reader recently sent me the results and prize money breakdown of the Dunlop Masters played at the St Pierre Marriott Hotel and Country Club in Chepstow, Wales, 50 years ago.

It was the first big win for a young Tony Jacklin.

He shot 69, 65, 70 and 68 to win the equivalent of just under US$3,000.

Bob Charles came in second and picked up roughly $2,000.

The last player, in 49th place, to receive any cash was Manuel Ballesteros, the brother of Spanish legend Seve, who collected $300.

Fast forward 50 years to last week’s Players Championship, champion Scottie Scheffler received $4.5 million, runner-up Tyrrell Hatton took home $2.8 million and the last-placed player in 75th position got $48,750.

As a young boy back in England, I remember that in the early 1970s the average weekly wage was £20, so seeing a professional golfer then collect the money on offer in…