Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
The US Open will be the first major in golf history to have a $20 million purse, and it’s largely thanks to LIV Golf.
USGA CEO Mike Whan announced the news on Wednesday, with the event’s biggest-ever purse boasting a cheque of $3.6 million for the winner.
That represents a colossal rise in a short space of time, as financial reward continues to surface as a key talking point in the men’s game.
• Rory McIlroy: “I feel like I’ve figured it out”
• Koepka: “They’ve never had to deal with adversity”
Whan said the decision behind increasing the prize pool again was based on “what else is going on in the [golf] world.”
Matt Fitzpatrick earned $3.16 million for his triumph at The Country Club last year, as part of a $17.5 million purse.
But the USGA reckon they had to compete with the PGA Tour’s designated event purses, as well as the money on offer at LIV Golf’s individual events, both coming in at $20 million.
“I think it was November last year we budgeted $20 [million]. We feel great about the purse. We feel great about the size of this event.
“We’re not in a chase to be the biggest check, but we want to make sure that the money and the opportunity here, whether they’re a tour player, a college player, an amateur, however they got here, that’s still part of the bigness and we believe it is.”
The scale of the increase can be measured against the other major championships, as both offered considerably less this year, despite their own increases.
The Masters raised its purse to $18 million, while the PGA Championship paid out $17.5 million to its field.
• US Open: Preview, how to watch, betting tips
• Rory McIlroy ‘cancels’ US Open press conference
Those championships remain well clear of what the US Open offered as recently as two years ago when Jon Rahm reigned supreme at Torrey Pines.
The purse in 2021 was $12.5 million, but other perks of the victory remain the same.
The US Open winner will receive the Jack Nicklaus gold medal, the trophy for one year, and earn exemption into the event for the next ten years.
ALL ABOUT THE MASTERS
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses