PGA Championship's $19M Purse: Why Golf's Major Still Trails Rivals in Prize Money
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Scottie Scheffler on the the eighteenth green during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Scottie Scheffler on the the eighteenth green during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
One of golf’s four major tournaments also offers one of the lowest prize pools, and the man in charge knows it.
The 2026 PGA Championship began Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club, with this year’s purse set to be announced on Saturday. Last year’s record $19 million prize fund still ranked third among golf’s four majors.
Speaking before the tournament on Wednesday, Terry Clark said the PGA of America is aware of the gap in prize money and is taking a careful approach.
"It's a balanced approach," Clark said. "What are the factors that make sense? We do look at it as an annual focus around how we get competitive purses."
Sport Themen der Woche KW20 Sport Bilder des Tages 107th PGA, Golf Herren Championship Scottie Scheffler USA winner of the Wanamaker Trophy after the final round at the 107th PGA Championship, Quail Hollow Country Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. 19/05/2025. Picture: Golf File Fran Caffrey. All photo usage must carry a mandatory copyright credit, Golffile Fran Caffrey. Copyright: xFranxCaffreyx *EDI*
Sport Themen der Woche KW20 Sport Bilder des Tages 107th PGA, Golf Herren Championship Scottie Scheffler USA winner of the Wanamaker Trophy after the final round at the 107th PGA Championship, Quail Hollow Country Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. 19/05/2025. Picture: Golf File Fran Caffrey. All photo usage must carry a mandatory copyright credit, Golffile Fran Caffrey. Copyright: xFranxCaffreyx *EDI*
The Masters Tournament increased its prize money to $22.5 million in 2026, up from $21 million in 2025. The U.S. Open also paid $21.5 million last year. The Open Championship had a total prize fund of $17 million.
The difference looks even bigger when compared to other major golf events outside the majors. The PGA Tour's Players Championship carries a $25 million purse. All eight of the Tour's $20 million signature events pay more than the PGA Championship. LIV Golf events are distributing $30 million per event this season, with $20 million going to players and $10 million going to teams.
Clark pushed back on the idea that the PGA Championship is simply chasing other events.
"It's not always in comparison to all of the other majors," he said. "We do look at it as an annual focus around how we get competitive purses."
Last year’s winner, Scottie Scheffler, earned $3.42 million, the biggest winner’s prize in tournament history. That was about $120,000 more than what 2024 champion Xander Schauffele received.
The question of whether prize money is growing fast enough remains a central challenge for Terry Clark.
Terry Clark Also Pushed Back on Talk of Moving the PGA Championship's Date and Location
Beyond prize money, two other ideas have circulated about the PGA Championship's future: moving it back to August and hosting it internationally. Clark addressed both and dismissed them.
"I really think we've got a strong position in May," Clark said. "Not actively looking at whether we should move this to later or back to August."
On playing the championship outside the United States, Clark was equally direct.
"I don't see that being a real focus right now," he said. "I think we have a great identity, and that identity is tied to those venues here."
The PGA Championship moved to May in 2019. This helped the PGA Tour finish its postseason in August before the National Football League season began. Clark did not suggest that this schedule will change anytime soon.
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav