Those still in contention are competing for a huge amount of prize money at the US Open – but Rory McIlroy won’t be among them as he sits at 10-over-par going into his final round. This year’s tournament is taking place at Oakmont Country Club, a notoriously difficult venue with its five-inch roughs and lightning-fast greens. It is capable of pushing even the very best golfers to their limits and has punished even the likes of McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler was the pre-tournament favourite to claim the spoils after winning the PGA Championship by five strokes last month. He also prevailed at the recent Memorial Tournament. However, it has not gone to plan for the American. Express Sport looks at the prize money up for grabs at the US Open…
What is the US Open prize money?
Organisers are yet to confirm the exact amount of prize money available to the winner of the US Open. However, it will almost certainly be a significant number with last year’s tournament offering a record purse.
The prize fund of £15.9million in 2024 was the highest of any major, surpassing the Masters, PGA Championship and The Open. In addition, the £3.2m cheque for the winner was the biggest for a one-off event outside of the season-ending Tour Championship.
As well as a huge amount of prize money, this year’s champion will receive the Jack Nicklaus Medal, a replica version of the trophy and a list of exemptions, including an invite to the US Open for the next 10 years.
What is the US Open format?
A total of 156 golfers will be involved in the opening two rounds of the US Open. After the close of play on Friday, the 60 players ranked highest on the leaderboard including ties will progress to the weekend. All other players will be eliminated.
The leading scorer after 72 holes will win the tournament. If there is a tie for the lead, a two-hole aggregate playoff will take place immediately after the end of the final round.
In previous years, an 18-hole playoff would take place the following day. Tiger Woods was the last player to win the US Open under that system in 2008, but the four-time champion is not taking part in this year’s tournament.
