2026 PGA Championship purse hits record high for players

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. -- As if the 82 players who made the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship didn't have enough incentive to go low this weekend, the PGA of America announced on Saturday that the purse for the 108th PGA Championship will be $20.5 million and the winner will receive $3.69 million.

That is an increase of $1.5 million to the purse from last year and the first time it has surpassed $20 million. It also marks the first time the PGA purse has exceeded the purse of the PGA Tour's signature events and FedEx Cup playoff events, which are $20 million. [The Players Championship stands alone at $25 million.]

The purse at the 2026 Masters last month featured a record total purse of $22.5 million, the largest in tournament history and a $1.5 million increase from 2025.

A detailed view of the flag on the tenth green during the second round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 15, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Purses at the highest level of men's professional golf have skyrocketed during the era of LIV Golf. In 2022, the PGA purse was boosted to $15 million. Just a decade ago, when Jimmy Walker won the title at Baltusrol, the purse reached $10 million for the first time.

A top-10 finish this year at Aronomink Golf Club will earn more than $500,000. Players missing the cut and turning in a 36-hole score will be paid $4,300 each. Any player making the cut, but failing to submit a 72-hole score, will also be paid $4,300.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2026 PGA Championship purse reaches record $20.5 million