Rewards of Triumphing in the US Open - Prizes for the Champion
Winning the US Open trophy doesn't just solidify a golfer's place in history, it also brings along a slew of perks. Here's what's in store for this year's champion at Oakmont.
1. A New Trophy Every Year
Contrary to popular belief, the US Open trophy isn't given to the winner—it's a permanent fixture at the USGA Museum in New Jersey. Instead, they receive a full-size replica that they get to keep during their reign. Once returned, they are handed a slightly smaller replica to keep permanently. This practice has been in place since 1986, when the actual trophy was retired.
2. The Jack Nicklaus Medal
The tradition of awarding a gold medal to the US Open champion dates back to 1895, but it wasn't until 2012 that it was named the Jack Nicklaus Medal and got a proper design—an image of the Golden Bear's iconic swing. Nicklaus, an 18-time Major champion, is one of four players to win the US Open four times, joining Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, and Ben Hogan.
3. The Cash Prize
The US Open boasts the largest purse of the men's Majors, with the 2025 US Open offering a record-breaking $4.3 million to the champion. That's not all—the $21.5 million total prize pool is distributed among the top contenders.
4. The Hall of Champions
Every US Open champion gets their name inscribed into a bronze panel at the Hall of Champions, a stunning architectural space in the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History at the USGA museum in New Jersey. The oval rotunda, illuminated by a clerestory, houses the original 16 USGA national championship trophies.
5. A Decade of US Open Exemptions
Thanks to their victory, this year's champion will be exempt from qualifying for the US Open for the next 10 years. With the US Open venues scheduled through 2035, this means their final US Open under the current exemption would be held at Pinehurst in ten years' time.
6. Major Exemptions Galore
In addition to a decade of US Open exemptions, the champion also gains entry into the next five editions of the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Open Championship—a total of 25 Major tournaments.
7. Senior Golf Invitations
Victory at the US Open also sets up post-50 golf careers, with five-year invitations to the US Senior Open, the Senior Open, and the Senior PGA Championship.
8. The PGA Tour Card
Apart from the Majors, the champion also secures a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour. Non-PGA Tour members can either join the PGA Tour within 60 days or in time for any one of the next five seasons.
9. Ranking Points
The winner earns a hefty number of Official World Golf Ranking points, helping to maintain a high standing in the sport.
10. Ryder Cup Points
For U.S. players, winning the US Open can significantly boost their Ryder Cup qualification points. For European winners, it provides a substantial number of points toward their team's qualification.
11. FedEx Cup Points
On the PGA Tour, major winners and the Players Championship winners rake in 750 FedEx Cup points. This is more than what signature events offer (700 points to winners) and significantly more than regular events (500 points). The biggest FedEx Cup points come during the Playoffs, where 2,000 points go to the winners of the first two events.
In other words, winning a Major in 2025 significantly increases a player's chances of making either team for Bethpage.
- Despite the misconception, victors of the US Open don't get to keep the trophy permanently; instead, they are given a replica to keep during their reign.
- Annually, the US Open champion is awarded the Jack Nicklaus Medal, an image of the golf legend's iconic swing emblazoned on it.
