The USGA maintained its US prize money this week at $21.5 million, on par with the 2024 Championship.
The US Open remains a major championship in the most profitable wallets. The Masters raised their prize money to $21 million in April, with the PGA Championship at $19 million and the latest Open Championship (July 2024) paying a prize money of $17 million.
Bryson Deccanbeau won $4.3 million at Pinehurst No. 2 at the 2024 US Open. Champions at Oakmont Country Club this weekend will receive the same amount.
USGA CEO Mike Whan has noted the explosions in golf wallets over the past decade.
“When we started at USGA just four years ago, our wallets were $12.5 (million), so we feel comfortable being a fast, moving leader,” he said Wednesday. “…It’s happening on the side of women who went from $5.5 (million) to 12 (million) over a similar period.
“We know that this is probably not really about money for those who (win) but at the same time, we want the money to be worth the results, so we feel comfortable.”