Need to knowThe third major championship of the year is reaching its conclusion and one golfer will bag a hefty prize for winning the US Open12:30, 21 Jun 2026J. J. Spaun won the US Open in 2025(Image: Getty)Everything you need to know about the US Open prize potA legendary venue: The world's best golfers have gathered at the renowned Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Remarkably, this represents the sixth occasion that the celebrated course has welcomed this major.Record purse: Alongside the immense glory of winning, competitors are battling for an unprecedented financial windfall. This year's total prize pool has climbed to an all-time high for the tournament.The total fund: The complete prize pot for the championship scales to a jaw-dropping £17million. This staggering sum reflects an increase of roughly £750,000 over the tournament's last outing.Incredible financial growth: Such a massive payout underscores the booming commercial success of modern professional golf. Every single player who survived the cut is assured a handsome reward on Sunday evening.The winner's reward: The player who claims victory this afternoon will secure a truly life-changing sum of money. A massive reward of £3.4m awaits the golfer who finishes atop the leaderboard.A lucrative title: This champion's cheque equals the historic payouts witnessed at the Masters earlier in the year. The achievement guarantees the eventual winner one of the most lucrative single-day earnings in sports.The runner-up consolation: Falling just short of the title is heartbreaking, but the second-place finisher receives a stellar financial cushion. The tournament runner-up will walk away with a brilliant consolation prize of around £1.84m.Last year's champion: Providing context to these figures, American star J.J. Spaun conquered the field at Oakmont twelve months ago. That triumph marked his maiden major victory and completely redefined his professional standing.The previous payout: During that memorable victory, Spaun secured a massive winner's cheque worth approximately £3.25m. That vast sum merely paves the way for the even grander rewards up for grabs this year.READ MORE: Rory McIlroy pulls out of event during US Open leaving him at risk of breaking golden rule