US Open: USGA offers record $21.5 million purse, including $4.3 million for winner at Pinehurst

The US Open still offers a record purse this summer.

The major championship offers a purse of $21.5 million this season, which is the largest sum ever paid out in a major men’s championship. That’s an increase of $1.5 million from last season and $1.5 million more than the Masters had earlier this season.

The winner of Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina will earn $4.3 million.

“We want to make sure our purse matches how we feel about the rest of our championship, which is life-changing in the game,” USGA CEO Mike Wahn said Wednesday, via ESPN. “And I think we’re there and we’re going to continue to monitor this.”

Although the purse is a tournament record, it is not quite the largest offered this season. The Players Championship had a $25 million prize pool in March. Scottie Scheffler won $4.5 million after his victory at TPC Sawgrass.

Scheffler earned $3.6 million for his victory at Augusta National in April. Xander Schauffele, who earned his first major championship victory at Louisville last month, took home $3.3 million at the PGA Championship. It was part of an $18.5 million purse.

It’s still unclear what will be on offer at the British Open next month. The R&A had a purse of $16.5 million during last year’s tournament.

For comparison, the PGA Tour is offering $20 million in purses at its flagship events this season. The first two FedExCup Playoffs events will also feature $20 million in purses. We do not yet know how much money will be up for grabs at the Tour Championship.

The US Open will begin Thursday morning in North Carolina. Scheffler, who has won five times on the PGA Tour this season after winning last week’s Memorial Tournament, is the heavy favorite to win again this week.