2026 US Open prize money, fund: Payments, full distribution from $22.5 million pool
A lot is on the line at the 2026 US Open on Sunday. Being a national champion is one of golf’s most prestigious titles, and winning the US Open at a difficult course like Shinnecock Hills Golf Club adds to that accomplishment. In addition to a chance for players to write their names in history at one of the country’s most iconic courses, the winner of the 126th US Open will take home an increased share of the record $22.5 million purse.
The $4.5 million prize money for the US Open winner is a $200,000 increase from what JJ Spaun took home from Oakmont last year. In total, the USGA increased its pool by $1 million, with the remaining $800,000 divided among everyone who made the decision. As for who will touch that total, Wyndham Clark took a six-shot lead into Sunday’s final round. Follow once 2026 US Open leaderboard updates and live coverage throughout Round 4.
There have been several purse increases in recent years in golf’s four major tournaments. The US Open and Masters remain top at $22.5 million after both made $1 million increases in 2026, while the PGA Championship increased its purse from $19 million to $20.5 million this year. The Open Championship paid $17 million in 2025, and we will find out in a month whether the R&A will increase it in 2026 or stick to the same number it has been in since 2024.
The beneficiaries of the biggest arms race of the championship are the players, who continue to fight in one of the biggest halls of the game to get their share of the pool of 22.5 million dollars. 67 pros made it through the weekend (here’s all important names not playing on sunday) will split that purse, at least $42,863, to whoever finishes at the bottom of the professional leaderboard. Everyone who finishes in the top 38 this week will take home a six-figure payout, with the top 20 making more than $250,000.
Clark has a good chance of taking home the big prize on Sunday. The 2023 US Open champion was the only man to get this golf course right. He will have to keep his head up to reach the finish line with the likes of Scottie Scheffler not so farbut it could be a big day financially for the Colorado native in addition to history if he completes the job, telegraphing the course.
Below is the full pay structure for each spot on the leaderboard this weekend at Shinnecock Hills. Make sure you don’t miss a second of the action by immersing yourself in CBS Sports’ 2026 US Open TV schedule and coverage guide.
2026 US Open prize money, purse
Net worth: $22.5 million
1st: $4,500,000
Second: $2,430,000
Third: $1,532,530
4: $1,074,363
5: $894,841
6: $793,443
7: $715,320
8: $640,654
9: $579,815
10: $532,572
11: $486,021
12: $449,379
13: $418,729
14: $386,466
15th: $358,812
16: $335,767
17: $317,331
18th: $298,895
19: $280,459
20: $262,022
21st: $246,121
22: $230,220
23rd: $214,780
24: $200,492
25th: $188,048
26th: $177,447
27th: $169,381
28th: $162,237
29th: $155,324
30th: $148,410
31st: $141,497
Age 32: $134,583
33rd: $127,669
34th: $121,447
35th: $116,377
36th: $111,307
37th: $106,468
38th: $101,859
39th: $97,250
Age 40: $92,641
Age 41: $88,032
Age 42: $83,423
43rd: $78,814
44th: $74,205
Age 45: $69,596
46th: $65,448
47th: $61,300
48th: $57,382
49th: $55,077
50th: $52,773
51st: $51,390
Age 52: $50,238
53rd: $49,316
54th: $48,855
55th: $48,394
56th: $47,933
57th: $47,472
58th: $47,012
59th: $46,551
60th: $46,090
61st: $45,629
Age 62: $45,168
63rd: $44,707
64th: $44.26
65th: $43,785
66th: $43,324
67th: $42,863
