USGA Says It's 'Not a Race' to Match Masters' Record Prize Money

The United States Golf Association is not committing to matching the Masters' record-breaking prize money increase for this year's U.S. Open. USGA Chief Executive Officer Mike Whan said any potential boost to the tournament's purse remains undecided and emphasized that competing with other major championships on financial terms is not a priority for the organization. His remarks suggest the U.S. Open could remain financially behind its April counterpart even as players and observers increasingly focus on prize fund figures across professional golf.

The Details

The 2026 Masters, held in April at Augusta National Golf Club, raised its prize fund by $1.5 million to a record $22.5 million. Tournament winner Rory McIlroy received a record-setting $4.5 million, marking the largest single payout in the event's history and establishing a new financial benchmark for men's major championship golf.

By comparison, the U.S. Open has maintained a $21.5 million purse for the past two years. In 2025, champion J.J. Spaun earned $4.3 million for his victory. The figures leave a gap of $1 million between the two tournaments' total prize funds and a difference of $200,000 in the winner's share.

Speaking at a U.S. Open media day event, Whan addressed questions about whether the USGA would respond to Augusta's increase. He described the decision-making process for setting the U.S. Open purse as collaborative and last-minute, with the board typically weighing in shortly before competition begins.

"To be determined. We make that decision with the board usually the week before we play," Whan said. "But to me, it's not a race. It wouldn't bother me a bit if Augusta was more or less the same."

Whan also downplayed any internal discussion about purse sizes across the major championships. He said the organization does not actively compare its financial offerings with those of the Masters, PGA Championship, or The Open Championship, and he appeared unfamiliar with the exact figures at the other three events.

"It's funny to admit this out loud, but no, we really don't talk about it," Whan said. "But if you ask me right now what the purse of the other two majors were, I don't think I'd get within a million dollars of correct."

Context

The U.S. Open has historically positioned itself as the most lucrative of men's golf's four major championships. The tournament has offered the largest purse among the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship every year since 2017. That streak has continued for nearly a decade, even as the broader professional golf landscape has seen rapid financial growth through elevated tournament purses and increased external investment.

The 2026 U.S. Open is scheduled for June 15-18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. The tournament stands as one of the four major championships in men's golf, alongside the Masters, the PGA Championship, and The Open Championship.

The potential for a stagnant or reduced relative purse at the U.S. Open comes at a time when professional golf has experienced significant financial growth, driven in part by elevated tournament purses across the PGA Tour and increased investment from external entities. Players and fans have increasingly scrutinized prize money across the sport's biggest events, making purse figures a visible point of comparison between the majors.

What's Next

Whan indicated that the USGA board would likely make a final decision on the 2026 U.S. Open purse during the week immediately preceding the tournament. Until then, the current $21.5 million figure remains the working total, leaving the organization roughly one million dollars behind the Masters on paper.

If the USGA opts not to increase the purse, the Masters will hold the distinction of offering the largest prize fund among the four major championships for the first time since 2017, ending the U.S. Open's streak that began that year.