US Open Prize Money And Purse Breakdown 2022

This year’s US Open is a special occasion, as always, with the tournament taking place at The Country Club for the first time since 1988. It’s also the scene of one of the most famous US Opens when, in 1913, amateur Francis Ouimet shook the golf world by winning the tournament.

Video: Perks Of Winning The US Open

Another element to add to the sense of occasion is the huge prize money on offer, which is significantly higher than last year. Speaking to the press ahead of the tournament, USGA CEO Mike Whan confirmed that this year’s purse is an extraordinary $17.5 million, with the winner earning $3.15 million. By comparison, in 2021, the purse was $12.5 million, with victor John Rahm collecting $2.25m. Whan explained the justification for the huge purse by drawing attention to the arduous task many in the field took on to make it this far.

"To think about now, 9,300 people trying to get into this event. They came from every one of our 50 states and 80 countries. When they got together back then, they played four loops on a nine-hole course at Newport. Thirty-six holes for the Open with the winner walking away with $150. They played for a purse of $335. We really believe that you made the cut if you're here. I've said this to the women a couple weeks ago at Pine Needles [for the US Women's Open], you make the cut to get into this. This is the hardest event in the world to get in, so if you are here, you ought to feel pretty special."

The $17.5 million figure represents the highest for any Major in history. In fact, it’ll be the first Major to surpass the $15m mark. Both purses for last month’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills and April's Masters at Augusta National reached exactly that figure.

The huge increase in this year’s US Open purse is at least partly attributable to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which still dwarfs the amount on offer this week in each of its regular events, with $25 million. The increase continues a trend that saw this year’s US Women’s Open purse almost double to $10 million. Meanwhile, the Chevron Championship purse swelled from $3.1 million to $5 million. However, The Players Championship still offers the largest purse on the PGA Tour - $20 million.

One player who won't be in the reckoning is six-time US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson. The 52-year-old missed the cut and admitted he thought he was more prepared. Whoever claims the first prize this week will certainly need to be at their best to consistently navigate the course's blind spots, fast greens and thick rough. 

US Open Prize Money Breakdown 2022