The 2026 PGA Championship is poised to make history with its impressive multi-million pound purse, scheduled to take place from May 15 to May 17 at the Aronimink Golf Club, just outside Philadelphia. This annual event, one of the four majors in men’s golf, draws some of the top talents in the sport, all competing for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy.
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The tournament kicked off on May 14, and fans were eager to see who would emerge victorious amongst a talented lineup of players. Scottie Scheffler, the champion of the 2025 event, is back to defend his title, while Rory McIlroy arrives with the momentum of having clinched back-to-back Masters victories. The excitement surrounding this major is heightened by the prospect of not only the trophy but also significant financial rewards.
The winner of the 2026 championship will walk away with a hefty £3.69 million, part of a grand total purse of £20.5 million, which reflects ongoing growth in the tournament’s financial stakes. Terry Clark, CEO of PGA of America, highlighted their commitment to enhancing the championship year after year. “We’re really focused on all aspects of how we improve and continue to look at our assets, including PGA Championships,” he commented during a press conference. Clark also emphasised that each tournament’s purse is determined by a variety of factors rather than direct comparisons to previous years.
This year’s purse is a notable increase from the previous edition in 2025, where winner Scheffler garnered an impressive £3.42 million from a total of £19 million. This uptick in both the overall purse and the winner’s share reflects the PGA’s efforts to ensure that its competitions remain competitive and rewarding for professional golfers.
For participants beyond the champion, there is also a financial incentive to perform well. Following the 36-hole cut, all qualifying players will receive a share of the purse, proportionate to their final standings. In the previous year, a total of 74 golfers received payouts, including those who finished tied for second place, such as Bryson DeChambeau and Harris English, who each earned £1.42 million.
The historical context of the PGA Championship reveals a trend of increasing monetary rewards for participants. The prize structure demonstrates significant growth since the inaugural tournament in 1916, where the first winner, Jim Barnes, took home just £500 from a total purse of £2,580. Recent years have witnessed a sharp escalation in payouts; for example, the purse rose from £12 million in 2021 to £15 million in 2022, marking the largest single jump in its history.
Over the years, the individual winner’s earnings have also seen substantial increases. In 2015, the victor received £1.8 million—a figure that now appears modest compared to Scheffler’s windfall last year. For context, in addition to the current champion, Xander Schauffele claimed £3.3 million from an £18 million purse in 2024, while 2023 winner Keegan Bradley received £3.15 million from a £17 million pool.
This steady rise in the purse promises to attract even more talent to the tournament, as professional golfers vie for their share of the lucrative prizes. As the 2026 Championship gets underway, eyes will be firmly focused on the star-studded field competing at Aronimink, with fans and players alike enthusiastic about what the coming days will hold for this enduring sporting tradition.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds not only around the best players in the world showcasing their skills but also around the stakes that have been raised this year. With millions on the line and the rich history of the PGA Championship behind it, 2026 promises to be an unforgettable chapter in the world of golf.