The first golfer to win the U.S. Open in 1895 won $150. Things have come a long way since then, as this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst has the richest total purse in major championship history.
This year’s field is splitting $21.5 million, with the winner Bryson DeChambeau taking $4.3 million.
“We want to make sure that our purse matches how we feel about the rest of our championship, which is a life-changing difference in the game,” USGA CEO Mike Whan said. “And I think we’re there and we’ll continue to kind of monitor that.”
Golf purses have gone up pretty rapidly the last few years, much of which is likely a response to the increased money coming at some golfers from LIV golf. But the USGA said they aren’t interested in just raising purses for the sake of raising them, as that will just lead to others doing the same.
“We’re proud of our purse. I’m proud of the fact that we as an organization consistently ask ourselves whether or not we think we’ve got our purse right, our TV right,” Whan said. “All of those things have changed quite a bit in the last few years, and change is uncomfortable, but I think we’re not only keeping up with the times, but hopefully at least in the landscape of majors, in a lot of these cases we’re leading.”
Let’s take a look at how much every golfer won in the 2024 U.S. Open from Pinehurst, including Bryson’s big haul.