The Oakmony Country Club in the United States is hosting the 125th edition of the US Open this week, the third major of the season and one of the most important tournaments in the global golf calendar. An event that last year broke the record with the highest prize ever awarded in the Majors, $21.5 million, with $4.3 million for the winner (Bryson DeChambeau) and which in 2025 will distribute the same amount of money. It remains the highest among the four majors in golf. This stagnation marks a pause after several years of consecutive increases, such as the jump from 20 million in 2023 to 21.5 in 2024. Below, we break down the most notable prizes, analyse their distribution, and compare with other major tournaments.
Breakdown of the US Open 2025 Prize Fund
The winner of the US Open 2025 will receive $4,300,000, the largest individual prize among the majors, followed by $2,322,000 for second place and $1,459,284 for third. The complete distribution for professionals completing the 72 holes is as follows:
1st: 4,300,000
2nd: 2,322,000
3rd: 1,459,284
4th: 1,023,014
5th: 852,073
6th: 755,520
7th: 681,131
8th: 610,034
9th: 552,103
10th: 507,118
11th to 20th: From 462,792 to 249,499
21st to 30th: From 234,358 to 141,317
31st to 40th: From 134,734 to 88,213
41st to 50th: From 83,824 to 50,251
51st to 66th: From 48,934 to 41,254
Additionally, the 75 professionals who do not make the cut will receive $10,000 each. Position prizes are adjusted in case of ties, rounding to the nearest dollar.
Comparison with Other Majors
The US Open 2025 maintains its position as the Major with the highest purse, surpassing the other three major tournaments:
The Masters (2025): In 2025, it distributed $20 million with $3,600,000 for the winner.
PGA Championship (2025): The purse has been $19 million with $3,420,000 for the champion.
The Open Championship (2024): The R&A offered $17 million in 2024, with $3,100,000 for the winner.
Historical comparison: The US Open has led in prizes since 2023, when it surpassed the Masters with its $20 million purse. The stagnation in 2025 suggests a conservative approach by the USGA, possibly in response to the increasing purses of tournaments like those of LIV Golf, which have raised the standard in professional golf.
Evaluations and Context
The $21,500,000 purse of the US Open reflects the prestige and difficulty of the tournament, known for its challenging courses like Oakmont, which has hosted nine previous editions. However, the decision not to increase the purse this year, as noted by Whan, could be interpreted as a strategy to stabilise costs in a context where prizes in professional golf have grown exponentially. Compared to the $12,500,000 a decade ago, the US Open has doubled its purse, but the rate of increase has slowed against inflation and competition from other circuits.
For players, the $4,300,000 prize for the winner is a significant incentive, especially considering that the US Open attracts the world’s best. Even players in lower positions, like the 66th ($41,254), receive notable compensation.
