What does the US Open golf champion win?

Jon Rahm won the 2021 US Open.

Victory at the US Open at Pinehurst comes with a lot more than a trophy. But besides the honor of winning a Major, what will 2024’s champion receive?

The winner of the men’s US Open would gladly accept the title as his prize, knowing his name will be listed alongside some of the game’s greatest-ever players. But the winner of the year’s third men’s Major receives a lot more than that.

First, there’s the famous trophy, where his name will forever be engraved beside the likes of Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Then there’s the US Open gold medal, which they get to keep forever more.

But alongside the priceless prizes come some quantifiable rewards. For its 124th running, a record-breaking $21.5 million purse will be distributed between the 156-man field, with the winner taking a $4.3 million cut. The prize fund represents the largest ever to be competed for at a major championship.

The US Open increased its purse to $20m for 2023, up $2.5m on 2022 and double what it was in 2016. Wyndham Clark earned $3.6 million for his first major win, up from the $3.15 million Matt Fitzpatrick received in 2022, but still some way short of the $4.5 million won by Scottie Scheffler at The Players Championship and the regular prize funds offered on LIV Golf.

Then there are the 100 Official World Golf Ranking points (not nearly enough for anyone to knock Scottie Scheffler off his No.1 perch) and the 600 FedEx Cup points. What do points make? Well, in this case, the chance to get a headstart at the big-money Tour Championship and FedEx Cup finale at East Lake later this year and a lot of clout when it comes to renegotiating contracts with sponsors.

Then there are the exemptions. With a win at Pinehurst No.2, someone will get a 10-year US Open exemption and five-year exemptions into The Open, Masters, and PGA Championship. The winner is also guaranteed a spot at the following year’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, a no-cut event in Hawaii that guarantees them a big pay cheque.

The victor is also automatically invited to play in The Players Championship for the next five years and may also receive a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, which is automatic for regular members. Non-PGA Tour members who win the US Open have the choice of joining the PGA Tour either within 60 days of winning or prior to the beginning of any one of the next five tour seasons.

Finally, they will receive automatic invitations to three of the five senior majors once he turns 50 (just the 20 years to go in Clark’s case); he receives a five-year invitation to the US Senior Open and a lifetime invitation to the Senior PGA Championship and Senior British Open.

But, as well know, it’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts… especially when there’s this much cash up for grabs for those who just made the cut.

How much did every player earn at the 2023 US Open?

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About the Author

Rob Jerram – Digital Editor

Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.

He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge regarding golf balls, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.

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