PGA Championship 2026 prize money peaks to $20 million but purse still way less than other golf majors

PGA Championship 2026 increased this year's purse to $20.5 million, with $3.69 million going to the champion on Sunday. The PGA of America announced the boost in prize money Saturday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., site of the 108th PGA Championship.





The tournament ‌joins the ⁠Masters ($22.5 ⁠million in 2026) and the U.S. Open ($21.5 million in 2025) ​in the $20 million club among Grand Slam events. The Open Championship's purse ​was $17 million last year.




The PGA Championship's total prize money in 2025 was $19 million, which was less than the $20 ​million for the PGA Tour's ⁠signature events. ‌The purse still trails the $25 million for The ​Players ​Championship.




"We're really focused on all aspects of ⁠how do we improve and continue to ​look at improvement at the assets we have, ​including PGA Championships," PGA of America CEO Terry Clark said earlier this week. "This is a really important one. Obviously, it's something we look at every year. It's not always in comparison to all of those (other majors ‌and signature events). It's what are the factors that make sense?"




Scottie Scheffler took home a $3.42 ​million winner's ​check after winning ⁠the Wanamaker Trophy at last year's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, N.C.




Sunday's second-place finisher will win ​about $2.2 million, with about $1.4 million going to third place. Each of the top-20 finishers will earn at least $252,000. The golfer who finishes last among the 82 who made the cut will receive $23,900, while those who missed the cut will get $4,300.