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It’s official: the 2020 US Open will tie the record for the most lucrative major championship ever staged.

A mind-boggling $12,000,000 is at stake for the players at Winged Foot this week – a cool $2,250,000 of which will be handed over to the eventual champion.

Assuming there’s not a tie for second, even the runner-up will take home a seven-figure sum ($1,350,000).

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The purse equals that given away at the 2019 edition of the championship, won by Gary Woodland at Pebble Beach and is $1,000,000 more than was on offer at last month’s US PGA.

The 2019 Masters gave away $11,500,000, whilst the most recent Open Championship – played at Royal Portrush in July 2019 – had $10,750,000 up for grabs.

The cheque that this week’s US Open champion will bank pales in comparison to the $3,000,000 Dominic Thiem pocketed when he won the men’s US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York last weekend. 

In total, $39,024,000 was shared amongst the players in that particular event last week. 

• 7 things the US Open champ can look forward to

• US Open 2020: Where and when to watch on TV

It is, however, significantly more than is up for grabs at the US Women’s Open golf championship this December. 

With a purse of $5,500,000, of which $1,000,000 will go to the eventual winner, it is the richest event in the ladies’ game. 

The US Women’s Open tennis? It has an equal prize fund to its equivalent men’s event: $39,024,000 purse, with $3,000,000 for the winner.

(Photo: USGA/Jeff Haynes)


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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