There is plenty on the line at the 2026 U.S. Open on Sunday. Becoming a national champion is one of the most prestigious titles in golf, and winning a U.S. Open at a difficult course like Shinnecock Hills Golf Club only adds to that accomplishment. On top of the chance for players to etch their names in history at one of the country's most iconic courses, the winner of the 126th playing of the U.S. Open will take home an increased share of the record $22.5 million purse.
The $4.5 million going to the winner of the U.S. Open is a $200,000 raise from what J.J. Spaun brought home from Oakmont last year. Overall, the USGA increased its pool by $1 million, with the remaining $800,000 divided among everyone else who made the cut. As for who will touch that sum, Wyndham Clark is out in front taking a six-shot lead into Sunday's final round. Follow along with 2026 U.S. Open leaderboard updates and live coverage throughout Round 4.
There have been several purse increases in recent years at golf's four major championships. The U.S. Open and Masters remain at the top at $22.5 million after both made $1 million increases in 2026, while the PGA Championship upped its purse from $19 million to $20.5 million this year. The Open Championship paid out $17 million in 2025, and we'll find out in a month's time whether the R&A will increase it in 2026 or stick with the same number they've been at since 2024.
The benefactors of the major championship arms race are the players, who continue to battle it out at one of the game's great cathedrals for their share of the $22.5 million pool. The 67 professionals who made the weekend (here are all of the significant names who are not playing Sunday) will split that purse, with a minimum of $42,863 going to whoever finishes at the bottom of the professional leaderboard. Everyone who finishes inside the top 38 this week will take home a six-figure paycheck, with the top 20 all making more than $250,000.
Clark is in prime position to take home the grand prize on Sunday. The 2023 U.S. Open champion has been the only man to truly figure out this golf course in a meaningful way. He'll have to keep his head to get to the finish line with the likes of Scottie Scheffler not that far behind, but it could be a huge day financially for the Colorado native in addition to a historic one if he finishes the job, going wire-to-wire in the process.
Below is the full payout structure for each leaderboard position this weekend at Shinnecock Hills. Make sure you do not miss a moment of the action by diving into CBS Sports' 2026 U.S. Open TV schedule and coverage guide.
2026 U.S. Open prize money, purse
Total purse: $22.5 million
1st: $4,500,000 2nd: $2,430,000 3rd: $1,532,530 4th: $1,074,363 5th: $894,841 6th: $793,443 7th: $715,320 8th: $640,654 9th: $579,815 10th: $532,572 11th: $486,021 12th: $449,379 13th: $418,729 14th: $386,466 15th: $358,812 16th: $335,767 17th: $317,331 18th: $298,895 19th: $280,459 20th: $262,022 21st: $246,121 22nd: $230,220 23rd: $214,780 24th: $200,492 25th: $188,048 26th: $177,447 27th: $169,381 28th: $162,237 29th: $155,324 30th: $148,410 31st: $141,497 32nd: $134,583 33rd: $127,669 34th: $121,447 35th: $116,377 36th: $111,307 37th: $106,468 38th: $101,859 39th: $97,250 40th: $92,641 41st: $88,032 42nd: $83,423 43rd: $78,814 44th: $74,205 45th: $69,596 46th: $65,448 47th: $61,300 48th: $57,382 49th: $55,077 50th: $52,773 51st: $51,390 52nd: $50,238 53rd: $49,316 54th: $48,855 55th: $48,394 56th: $47,933 57th: $47,472 58th: $47,012 59th: $46,551 60th: $46,090 61st: $45,629 62nd: $45,168 63rd: $44,707 64th: $44,26 65th: $43,785 66th: $43,324 67th: $42,863
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