A lot is in store for the 2026 U.S. Open. Becoming a national champion is one of the most prestigious titles in golf, and winning the U.S. Open at Sinek Hills Golf Club adds a little something special to that accomplishment. In addition to the chance for players to make history on one of the country’s most iconic courses, the winner of the 126th playing of the U.S. Open will take home a record share of the $22.5 million prize pool.
The $4.5 million awarded to the U.S. Open champion is an increase of $200,000 from the prize money JJ Spahn took home from Oakmont last year. Overall, the USGA increased the pool by $1 million, with the remaining $800,000 divided among all other participants.
Golf’s four major championships have seen several increases in prize money in recent years. The U.S. Open and Masters remain in the top spot at $22.5 million after a $1 million increase in 2026, while the PGA Championship increased its funding from $19 million to $20.5 million this year. The British Open Championship paid $17 million in 2025, but we’ll find out in a month if the R&A will increase that in 2026 or keep the same figure from 2024.
The beneficiaries of the major championship arms race are the players, who will battle it out this week in one of the game’s great cathedrals for a share of the $22.5 million pool. 67 professionals who spent the weekend (All important players who will not play on Saturday and Sunday are here) will split the purse, with a minimum of $42,863 awarded to players who finish at the bottom of the professional leaderboard. All of the top 38 finishers this week will earn six-figure salaries, with the top 20 all making more than $250,000.
Windham-Clark is in a great position to win the Grand Prix on Sunday. The 2023 U.S. Open champion heads into the final round with a six-stroke lead, as he is the only man who truly understands this golf course in any meaningful way. He’ll have to brace himself to get to the finish line not too far behind the likes of Scottie Scheffler, but if he gets the job done wire-to-wire in the process, it could be a big day financially for the Colorado native in addition to a historic day.
Below is the complete pay structure for each leaderboard position at Shinnecock Hills this weekend. Dive into CBS Sports and never miss a moment of the game. 2026 US Open TV Schedule and Coverage Guide.
2026 US Open prize money, wallet
Total purse: $22.5 million
1st place: $4,500,000
2nd place: $2.43 million
3rd place: $1,532,530
4th place: $1,074,363
5th place: $894,841
6th place: $793,443
7th place: $715,320
8th place: $640,654
9th place: $579,815
10th place: $532,572
11th place: $486,021
12th place: $449,379
13th place: $418,729
14th place: $386,466
15th place: $358,812
16th place: $335,767
17th place: $317,331
18th place: $298,895
19th place: $280,459
20th place: $262,022
21st place: $246,121
22nd place: $230,220
23rd place: $214,780
24th place: $200,492
25th place: $188,048
26th place: $177,447
27th place: $169,381
28th place: $162,237
29th place: $155,324
30th place: $148,410
31st place: $141,497
32nd place: $134,583
33rd place: $127,669
34th place: $121,447
35th place: $116,377
36th place: $111,307
37th place: $106,468
38th place: $101,859
39th place: $97,250
40th place: $92,641
41st place: $88,032
42nd place: $83,423
43rd place: $78,814
44th place: $74,205
45th place: $69,596
46th place: $65,448
47th place: $61,300
48th place: $57,382
49th place: $55,077
50th place: $52,773
51st place: $51,390
52nd place: $50,238
53rd place: $49,316
54th place: $48,855
55th place: $48,394
56th place: $47,933
57th place: $47,472
58th place: $47,012
59th place: $46,551
60th place: $46,090
61st place: $45,629
62nd place: $45,168
63rd place: $44,707
64th place: $44,26
65th place: $43,785
66th place: $43,324
67th place: $42,863
