US Open resists ‘money race’ despite Masters’ record purse

THE US Open has yet to decide if it will give the Masters a run for its proverbial money on payouts, USGA chief executive officer Mike Whan says.

The 2026 Masters increased its prize money by US$1.5mil to a record purse of US$22.5mil, with Rory McIlroy pocketing a record-setting winner’s check of US$4.5mil.

The US Open’s purse over the last two years was US$21.5mil, with J.J. Spaun taking home US$4.3mil for winning the tournament in 2025.

“To be determined,” Whan told Front Office Sports (FOS) at the US Open media day when asked about a potential payout boost.

“We make that decision with the board usually the week before we play. But to me, it’s not a race. It wouldn’t bother me a bit if Augusta was more or less the same.”

The US Open has paid out the largest purse among the four major championships since 2017.

“It’s funny to admit this out loud, but no, we really don’t talk about it,” Whan said of the monetary difference among the major championships.

“But if you ask me now what the purse of the other two majors were, I don’t think I’d get within a million dollars of correct.”

Meanwhile, World number one Scottie Scheffler has confirmed he will warm up for his defence of the British Open title by playing the Scottish Open next month.

The American, who finished joint eighth last season, will join fellow double-Masters winner and world number two Rory McIlroy, leading Scot and 2024 winner Robert MacIntyre, and defending champion Chris Gotterup at the Renaissance Club from July 9 to 12.

It will be the 29-year-old Scheffler’s fifth appearance at the East Lothian course and he views it as ideal preparation for his defence of the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale the following week.

“I always enjoy coming to the Genesis Scottish Open and taking on the challenge of links-style golf as part of an exciting couple of weeks in the United Kingdom,” he said.

“The tournament always has a strong field and the Scottish fans help to make it a fun week.”

Compatriot Gotterup finished two strokes ahead of McIlroy and England’s Marco Penge last year, with Scheffler a further four strokes behind.

The Genesis Scottish Open has long been regarded as one of the finest warm‑up events for the Open Championship, offering players a stern examination of links golf conditions in front of knowledgeable and passionate crowds.

Played on the modern links of the Renaissance Club since 2019, the tournament has attracted elite fields year after year, blending traditional coastal challenges with contemporary design, and it is once again shaping as a pivotal stop on the road to Royal Birkdale.