The PGA Championship increased its purse to $20.5 million, tournament organizers announced Saturday morning ahead of the third round at Aronimink Golf Club just outside Philadelphia.
One of the four major championships in men’s golf, the PGA Championship is operated by the PGA of America (a separate organization from the PGA Tour), which also runs the Ryder Cup’s U.S. operations.
The $20.5 million purse is a record for the PGA Championship, up $1.5 million from the $19 million in prize money that was paid out last year at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. Sunday’s winner will receive $3.69 million, which is up from the $3.42 million Scottie Scheffler won in 2025.
Here is how the PGA Championship’s purse has increased over the past five years:
- 2022: $15 million
- 2023: $17.5 million
- 2024: $18.5 million
- 2025: $19 million
- 2026: $20.5 million
This weekend, the top-three finishers will all make more than $1 million. The last-place finisher (82nd) will make $23,900. Players who missed the 36-hole cut receive $4,300.
Major Comparisons
Despite the increase, the PGA Championship’s purse still ranks third out of the four majors.
The Masters in April increased its prize money to $22.5 million, the most ever for a major. The U.S. Open for the past two years paid out $21.5 million, and could match or surpass the Masters with another bump next month. The Open Championship’s 2025 purse was $17 million.
PGA of America CEO Terry Clark on Wednesday said the organization is taking “a balanced approach” toward prize money, which has skyrocketed in men’s golf since the launch of LIV Golf in 2022. Earlier this month, USGA CEO Mike Whan told Front Office Sports the U.S. Open’s prize money strategy is “not a race” with the Masters or other majors.
LIV debuted with $25 million purses—$20 million for the individual competition and $5 million for the team event. In response, the PGA Tour in 2023 added its signature event series that pays out $20 million per event, and increased the purse of its flagship event, the Players Championship, to $25 million. LIV this year raised its total prize money per event to $33 million ($23 million for individuals, $10 million for teams).
The PGA Championship’s purse does help it surpass the PGA Tour’s $20 million signature events for the first time.
