BROOKLINE, Mass. – They’re playing for history at the US Open this week, with a major championship title something everyone in the 156-man squad aspires to win. But they will also be playing for a historic sum of money.
On Wednesday, USGA CEO Mike Whan announced that the overall US Open purse had been increased to $17.5 million, an increase of $5 million from 2021. In turn , the Country Club winner on Sunday will receive $3.15 million, up from the $2.25 million Jon Rahm won a year ago at Torrey Pines.
The announcement makes the US Open the most lucrative of the four major men’s tournaments, a title previously shared by the PGA Championship and the Masters. These two championships had increased their purses earlier this year to $15 million.
It is no coincidence that the majors make such big moves with their price gains. There has been a lot of talk lately about what professional golfers earn. Massive cash prizes have fueled interest in the LIV Golf Invitational series, which paid out Charl Schwartzel $4 million for his individual victory in last week’s first event with $20 million distributed to 48 competitors.
On the PGA Tour, overall prize money payouts during the 2021-22 season jumped to $427 million from $367 million the previous year. And the Players Championship still has a bigger prize money ($20 million) than any of the four major tournaments.
The USGA increase for the US Open comes after nearly doubling the purse this year for the US Women’s Open, pouring $10 million into the field.
MORE US OPEN COVERAGE FROM GOLF DIGEST
