U.S. Open: Top 12 Perks & Exemptions the Winner Gets Outside of the $4.3M Payout

The richest prize money purse is not the only enticing feature of the U.S. Open. Apart from the overall $21.5 million purse with a whopping $4.3 million reserved for the winner, the third major of the season also offers enticing additional benefits that could leave a lasting impact on their professional career.

From the shiny silver U.S. Open trophy with an incomparably rich history to the glistening gold Jack Nicklaus medal and a long list of exceptions, the competition at Pinehurst No. 2 becomes more ludicrous for the winner at every step. So what are all these additional benefits that the winner gets to avail of?

1. The Jack Nicklaus Medal

The U.S. Open champions receive the coveted Jack Nicklaus gold medal as a symbol of their triumph. This previously unnamed medal from 1895 was named after Nicklaus only in 2012 when it was designed with an image of the Golden Bear’s famous winner’s swing on it.

2. The U.S. Open Trophy

The winner receives custody of the full-size replica of the silver masterpiece U.S. Open Trophy for one full year, followed by a replica trophy to keep forever.

3. Exemptions into the next 10 U.S. Opens

Champions earn automatic entry into the coming ten editions of the US Opens as a recognition of their triumph. This achievement is different from wins in the other 3 majors as a win in any of the three remaining majors guarantees the winner a lifetime exemption.

4. Invitations to the Next 5 Masters Tournaments

The U.S. Open Champ gets an invite to the next five prestigious Augusta showdowns.

5. Exemptions into the next 5 PGA Championships

The winner secures a reserved spot by means of an exemption in the next five PGA Championships after his win.

6. Exemptions into the next 5 Open Championships

The winner gets an exemption into the following five Open Championships conducted by The R&A. So, a winner gets to make a total of 20 major starts after his win at the US Open.

7. Exemptions from the next five Players Championships

A win at USGA’s US Open will also guarantee entry into the next five PLAYERS Championships, which is popularly known as the fifth major of men’s golf.

8. Exempt status on the PGA Tour for the next five years

The long list of exemptions surely does not end here. The winner receives exempt status on the PGA Tour for the next five seasons after his US Open victory.

9. An entry into the archives of the USGA Museum’s Hall of Champions

The winner’s name gets engraved on the plaque on one of the bronze panels for the 2024 USGA championship season, along with that of every other USGA champion at the USGA Museum’s Hall of Champions in the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History in New Jersey.

10. Senior golf

A US Open win also benefits the champ with benefits in post-50 golf. The champion gets an invite to the US Senior Open for five years and invitations to the Senior Open and Senior PGA Championship.

11. Ranking points

The US Open winner will also receive a large sum of 100 OWGR points, indirectly securing a possible spot at the Paris Olympics.

12. Fed Ex Cup points

If a PGA Tour participant wins the U.S. Open, they receive a whopping 750 FedEx Cup points.

Far beyond the immediate glory of their victory, these benefits ensure a lasting incentive for the player. Who do you think will claim all these added benefits this season along with the hefty purse?