Winning a national open in Canada isn't just about the trophy. Honestly, it’s about the massive checks that come with it. Whether you are talking about the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA Tour or the National Bank Open on the tennis court, the stakes have never been higher than they are right now in 2026.
If you followed the 2025 season, you saw some eye-watering figures. Ryan Fox grabbed a cool $1,764,000 for his playoff win at TPC Toronto. In the tennis world, things got even wilder with a massive expansion in the prize pool.
People often get confused because there isn't just one "Canadian Open." You've got golf (men’s and women’s) and tennis (ATP and WTA). Each has its own bankroll. Let's break down exactly where that canadian open prize money goes and why the numbers are jumping so fast.
The Golf Side: RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open
The men’s golf tournament has seen a steady climb. In 2025, the total purse hit $9.8 million. That is a big jump from just a few years ago. Ryan Fox, the Kiwi who outlasted Sam Burns in a four-hole playoff, didn't just walk away with a trophy; he banked nearly $1.8 million.
The runner-up didn't do too bad either. Sam Burns cleared over $1 million just for finishing second.
The payout structure is pretty top-heavy. If you finish in the top 10, you’re looking at at least $250,000. But if you're further down the leaderboard—say, tied for 59th like Wyndham Clark was in 2025—you’re taking home about $21,854. It’s still good money, but it barely covers the caddie and travel costs for some of these guys.
CPKC Women’s Open Breakdown
On the women's side, the growth is even more impressive. The 2025 CPKC Women's Open at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club featured a $2.75 million purse.
Brooke Henderson took home the top prize of $412,500.
The LPGA uses a 15% distribution model for the winner.
Second place: $253,350.
Third place: $183,788.
It's a different scale than the men's game, but the 2026 projections suggest these numbers are only going one way. Up.
Why Canadian Open Prize Money is Skyrocketing in Tennis
Tennis is where the real drama is. The National Bank Open (which most fans still call the Canadian Open) underwent a massive change recently. The draw expanded to 96 players. More players means more days of tennis, which means much more revenue.
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In 2025, the men’s total prize pool was $9,193,540.
The singles champion? They pocketed $1,124,380.
The women's side in Montreal saw a staggering 60% increase in their total pot, reaching over $5.15 million. While there is still a gap between the ATP and WTA payouts in Canada, the tournament organizers have committed to closing that gap entirely by 2027.
Basically, if you can make it to the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open in tennis, you're looking at a payday of around $189,000 for the men and $107,000 for the women.
Even losing in the first round pays out. A player who exits in the Round of 96 still walks away with $23,760. It’s a safety net that keeps the tour moving.
The Realities of the Payout Structure
It’s not all sunshine and giant checks. Pro athletes have to pay taxes in the jurisdiction where they earn the money. For the Canadian Open, that means the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) takes a significant bite before the player even leaves the locker room.
Non-resident athletes are typically subject to a 15% withholding tax on their gross earnings in Canada. That’s just the start. They often have to file a Canadian tax return and might owe more depending on their total global income.
Then there are the expenses.
- Caddie fees (usually 10% of the win).
- Travel and coaching staff.
- Entry fees for certain qualifiers.
When you see a headline saying someone won $1.7 million, they’re probably seeing closer to $900,000 in their actual bank account after everyone else gets paid.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are tracking the canadian open prize money to understand player motivation or for sports betting, keep these nuances in mind.
First, the "Signature Event" status on the PGA Tour matters. While the Canadian Open isn't always a Signature Event, its proximity to the U.S. Open often dictates the strength of the field. A bigger purse attracts better players, but a tough course right before a Major can scare them away.
Second, watch the WTA/ATP gender pay equity updates. The National Bank Open is under a lot of pressure to equalize. Expect the women's prize money to jump significantly again in the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Finally, remember that in golf, amateurs don't get paid. In 2025, Tyler Mawhinney finished T65. If he were a pro, he would have made about $21,000. Because he was an amateur, that money stayed with the tournament or was redistributed. Always check the "a" next to a name on the leaderboard before assuming they're buying a new car.
Keep an eye on the official tournament releases in early spring. That is usually when the final purse "bump" is announced based on new sponsorships or TV deals. For 2026, the buzz suggests we might see the first $10 million purse for the men's golf event. That would be a massive milestone for Canadian sports.