Money talks in professional sports, but in women's golf, it’s recently started shouting. If you haven't checked the figures lately, the lpga us open prize money situation has undergone a transformation so radical it's almost unrecognizable from just a few years ago.
We’re not talking about small, incremental bumps anymore.
Honestly, the jump from a $5.5 million total purse in 2021 to the current staggering heights is the kind of financial shift that changes lives—and the trajectory of the sport itself. When Maja Stark hoisted the trophy at Erin Hills in 2025, she wasn't just winning a prestigious title; she was banking a check that would have been mathematically impossible for a female golfer to earn in a single week a decade ago.
The $12 Million Standard: Breaking Down the lpga us open prize money
The headline number is $12 million.
That is the total purse for the U.S. Women’s Open as we move into the 2026 season. To put that in perspective, the purse has more than doubled in less than five years. The United States Golf Association (USGA), fueled by a massive presenting partnership with Ally Financial, essentially drew a line in the sand. They decided that the biggest major in the women's game should have a payout that reflects its status.
But where does all that cash actually go? It’s not just about the winner.
For the 2024 and 2025 championships, the winner’s share was set at $2,400,000. That’s a 20% cut of the total purse. It's a significant detail because the "standard" winner's share on the LPGA Tour is usually closer to 15%. By bumping that percentage, the USGA aligned the women's payout structure more closely with the men's U.S. Open.
The wealth spreads fast. Even the runners-up are becoming millionaires in a weekend. In 2025, Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda both pocketed over $1,052,000 for their second-place tie.
Think about that. You can lose the tournament and still walk away with a seven-figure deposit.
Why the sudden explosion?
It didn’t happen by accident. The "Ally Effect" is very real. When Ally Financial stepped in as the presenting sponsor, they didn't just put a logo on a bag; they committed to purse equity. This partnership allowed the USGA to leapfrog other majors that were slowly ticking upward.
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Here is how the total purse has moved lately:
- 2021: $5.5 Million
- 2022: $10 Million
- 2023: $11 Million
- 2024: $12 Million
- 2025: $12 Million
- 2026: $12 Million (Projected minimum)
It’s a vertical climb.
What Really Happens if You Miss the Cut?
Most golf fans focus on the top of the leaderboard. That makes sense. But the real story of the lpga us open prize money evolution is what happens at the bottom.
Golf is an expensive job. You've got flights, hotels, caddie fees, and coaching costs. For years, if an LPGA player missed the cut, they went home with $0. They actually lost money to play in a major.
The USGA fixed this.
Now, every professional who tees it up at the U.S. Women’s Open is guaranteed a $10,000 stipend, even if they play horribly and miss the cut by ten strokes. This was doubled from $5,000 recently. It’s a safety net. It ensures that the best players in the world aren't going broke just to compete in their own national championship.
For those who do make the cut but finish near the bottom (say, 50th or 60th place), the payouts still hover around the $25,000 to $30,000 range. It’s a massive upgrade from the days when a mid-pack finish barely covered the week's expenses.
The 2026 Outlook at Riviera
As we look toward the 2026 U.S. Women's Open at the iconic Riviera Country Club, the expectations are even higher. Riviera is a "bucket list" course, and the USGA tends to pair these legendary venues with legendary payouts.
While the official 2026 purse is currently slated to maintain the $12 million floor, there is constant internal pressure to keep pushing. The LPGA’s new commissioner, Craig Kessler, has been vocal about hitting a record-breaking $132 million in total prize funds across the entire 2026 schedule.
The U.S. Women's Open remains the crown jewel of that schedule.
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Comparing the Majors: Who pays the most?
It’s a bit of an arms race. The CME Group Tour Championship actually offers a larger winner’s check ($4 million), but as far as the five majors go, the U.S. Women's Open is the undisputed king of the hill.
- U.S. Women's Open: $12 Million
- KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: $12 Million
- AIG Women's Open: Approximately $9 Million
- The Chevron Championship: $8 Million
- Amundi Evian Championship: $8 Million
The U.S. Women's Open and the KPMG Women's PGA are currently neck-and-neck, constantly adjusting to make sure they are providing the most lucrative platform for the players. It’s a healthy competition. The players are the ones winning here.
The Nuance: Amateurs and "Invisible" Money
One thing most people get wrong about the lpga us open prize money is the amateur factor.
The U.S. Women's Open is "Open" for a reason. Amateurs qualify. In 2025, we saw several amateurs like Lottie Woad and Farah O'Keefe make the cut.
Here’s the kicker: they can’t take the money.
When an amateur finishes in the top 10, that prize money doesn't just vanish. It gets redistributed among the professionals. This is why you’ll sometimes see a 5th place professional earn slightly more than the official "rank" payout—because an amateur finished ahead of them and "vacated" that share of the purse.
It’s a quirk of the USGA system that can lead to some very happy surprises for the pros on Sunday evening.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Pros
If you're following the money in women's golf, here's what you need to keep an eye on over the next twelve months:
- Watch the Sponsorship Cycles: The current $12 million purse is heavily tied to the Ally Financial partnership. Any expansion of this deal or the entry of a new "Founding Partner" usually signals another purse jump.
- The Riviera Factor: Historically, when the USGA goes to "prestige" venues like Pebble Beach or Riviera, they try to make a statement with the purse. Don't be surprised if there's a last-minute announcement to nudge that $12 million even higher.
- Stipend Growth: The $10,000 "missed cut" money is a trendsetter. Watch to see if other majors (like the Chevron or Evian) follow suit. This is the true metric of the tour's financial health.
- Pro-Am Redistribution: If you see a lot of (a) next to names on the leaderboard, the professionals behind them are about to get a "bonus" payout.
The era of "playing for the love of the game" is still here, but thanks to the current lpga us open prize money structure, the women are finally being paid like the elite world-class athletes they are.
Next Steps for Deep Diving:
- Review the official USGA 2026 Riviera entry requirements to see how the field is shaped.
- Track the LPGA "Money List" (Official Money) to see how the U.S. Women’s Open payout impacts the Race to the CME Globe standings.
- Monitor the KPMG Women's PGA Championship purse announcements, as they typically move in lockstep with the USGA.