In 46 years, the prize money and winner’s share for the U.S. Senior Open have grown 40 times. The total prize money for the first U.S. Senior Open was $100,000, and Roberto De Vicenzo won the inaugural 1980 event for a winner’s share of $20,000 . The 2026 U.S. Senior Open prize money is a whopping $4,000,000. Of 156 pros, 60 made the cut to compete for the purse. 

Padraig Harrington made it clear that he was not going to entertain any competition when he birdied the first two holes. The Irishman was defending his title, and he was in red-hot form in the final round. Harrington, who had won the event in 2022 on the 72nd hole, made two more birdies and picked up only one bogey to finish at 12-under 278 at Scioto Country Club. This is the same venue where Bobby Jones won the U.S. Open exactly 100 years ago, and after sealing his win, Harrington recreated the famous photo-op.

He also became just the fourth golfer to defend his U.S. Senior Open title and only the second pro to win the tournament three times. The first to do so was Miller Barber. Stewart Cink, the 54-hole leader, finished second four shots behind Harrington. Here is how much everyone earned.

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What Is the Highest Men's Major Purse This Year?

$20M$21.5M$22M$22.5M

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The $4M purse has been flat since 2017, while the regular U.S. Open has grown. However, in 2024, the U.S. Senior Open’s prize money distribution was adjusted to award a larger share to the winner and other top finishers.

Beyond the prize money, the winner, along with every player who makes the cut, also earns Charles Schwab Cup points. The champion takes home 800,000 points toward the season-long race. This gives him a massive head start or boost in the overall standings, making it much easier to qualify for the playoffs.

It rewards peak performance heavily while still allowing consistent players to stay in the mix. At the end of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the overall season-long winner receives extra money from a $2.1 million bonus pool. For Harrington, there was one more perk to winning the tournament. 

Padraig Harrington and Bobby Jones: 100 years apart

In 1926, Bobby Jones arrived at Scioto amid much fanfare. After all, he was just two weeks removed from winning the Open Championship on the other side of the pond. He was an amateur, of course, but at that time amateurs were the heroes. He arrived to play in what was then known as the National Championship of the United States. He had zero hopes of winning.

According to the Columbia Dispatch, Jones was tired of playing the Open Championship two weeks prior and then, of course, the transatlantic travel that involved coming to Scioto via New York. A first-round 72 gave way to a second-round 79. A grueling 36-hole Saturday was waiting, and Jones had a severe stomachache when he woke up on Saturday morning. A visit to the doctor on his way to the course was necessary.

Nevertheless, Jones was within three shots of the leader, Joe Turnesa, after the third round. Then Turnesa blew his lead, and Jones inched closer. On the 72nd hole, Jones birdied to win outright and become the first golfer to win the national open on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year. And posed for an iconic photo standing in front of the famous clubhouse.

A century later, Padraig Harrington stood in front of the same clubhouse and hoisted the trophy. He said he liked creating records. Well, this is surely one record that he will cherish forever.