A year ago, Bryson DeChambeau took home the largest winner's paycheck in U.S. Open history, collecting $4.3 million for his one-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst.
And as the USGA has decided to dole out the identical $21.5 million total purse it did in 2024, the winner at Oakmont Country Club will earn the exact same $4.3 million.
"Our purse is $21.5 million. Winner's check is $4.3 million. We didn't raise our purse this year," USGA CEO Mike Whan announced. "When I started at the USGA just four years ago, our purse was $12.5 million, so I feel comfortable that we've been a leader in moving fast and bigger. We're not really a fan of small, but when we go, we go a little bit bigger. Same, by the way, has happened on the women's side where we've gone from 5.5 to 12 in a similar period of time. ...
"We understand the competitive set. We know that this probably isn't really about the money for the person who puts it there, but at the same time, we want the money to be commensurate with the achievement. So, yeah, we feel comfortable [with the amount]. I don't really know the other four majors, but I think if we're not the top, we're close to the top."
To clarify, the U.S. Open remains the most lucrative of the four major championships. The Masters got close this year, distributing $21 million, the highest amount ever at Augusta National.
Last month's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club featured a total purse of $19 million.
It's not yet known what this year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush will offer, but last year's edition at Royal Troon featured a $17 million prize fund, so one would assume golf's oldest major will still rank fourth this year.
All still trail the PGA Tour's flagship event, The Players Championship, which currently offers a total purse of $25 million.
2025 U.S. Open purse distribution
Here's a look at the 2025 U.S. Open purse distribution for the 66 pros who made the cut at Oakmont. Justin Hastings, the lone amateur in the field to make it through to the weekend, is ineligible to receive payment.
The 75 professionals who failed to make the cut each received $10,000.
- 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: $462,792
- 12th: $427,901
- 13th: $398,716
- 14th: $367,995
- 15th: $341,663
- 16th: $319,719
- 17th: $302,164
- 18th: $284,609
- 19th: $267,054
- 20th: $249,499
- 21st: $234,358
- 22nd: $219,217
- 23rd: $204,515
- 24th: $190,910
- 25th: $179,060
- 26th: $168,966
- 27th: $161,286
- 28th: $154,483
- 29th: $147,900
- 30th: $141,317
- 31st: $134,734
- 32nd: $128,151
- 33rd: $121,567
- 34th: $115,643
- 35th: $110,815
- 36th: $105,987
- 37th: $101,379
- 38th: $96,991
- 39th: $92,602
- 40th: $88,213
- 41st: $83,824
- 42nd: $79,436
- 43rd: $75,047
- 44th: $70,658
- 45th: $66,269
- 46th: $62,320
- 47th: $58,370
- 48th: $54,639
- 49th: $52,445
- 50th: $50,251
- 51st: $48,934
- 52nd: $47,837
- 53rd: $46,959
- 54th: $46,520
- 55th: $46,081
- 56th: $45,642
- 57th: $45,203
- 58th: $44,765
- 59th: $44,326
- 60th: $43,887
- 61st: $43,448
- 62nd: $43,009
- 63rd: $42,570
- 64th: $42,131
- 65th: $41,692
- 66th: $41,254