A New Benchmark: US Open's Record Purse
Prize Fund Reaches Masters' Level
The 2026 U.S. Open will feature a total prize fund of $22.5 million, a figure now on par with that of the Masters tournament. This significant increase highlights the USGA's commitment to enhancing the championship's status and rewarding its elite competitors.
The USGA's Financial Commitment
Mike Whan, CEO of the United States Golf Association, officially declared on Wednesday that the 126th edition of the U.S. Open would boast a $22.5 million purse. This represents a notable increment of $1 million compared to the previous year's event, reflecting a continuous upward trend in golf tournament earnings.
Champion's Share Mirrors Augusta National
The victor of this year's championship, held at the esteemed Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., is slated to take home an impressive $4.5 million. This individual prize also mirrors the first-place earnings awarded at Augusta National earlier this year, where Rory McIlroy secured his sixth major title by successfully defending his Masters championship in April.
Comparative Payouts from Previous Seasons
Last year's U.S. Open saw JJ Spaun claim a substantial $4.3 million as the winner. In other major golf events, the PGA Championship also boosted its prize money this year to $20.5 million, with first-time major winner Aaron Rai receiving $3.69 million. Meanwhile, The Open Championship in the preceding year had a purse of $17 million, from which Scottie Scheffler earned $3.1 million.
