Our source lists prize money for the top 10 finishers only, so the rest of the field isn't shown.
Hale Irwin finished E and took 15% of the purse. That $50,000 is worth about $228,896 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1979 U.S. Open purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1979 U.S. Open prize money for every player
Final positions and prize money, with what the same untied position paid the year before.
| Pos | Player | To par | Last year | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hale Irwin | E | $45,000 | $50,000 +11% |
| T2 | Jerry Pate | +2 | $19,750 | $22,250 |
| T2 | Gary Player | +2 | $19,750 | $22,250 |
| T4 | Larry Nelson | +4 | $13,000 | $13,733 |
| T4 | Bill Rogers | +4 | $13,000 | $13,733 |
| T4 | Tom Weiskopf | +4 | $13,000 | $13,733 |
| 7 | David Graham | +5 | $10,000 | |
| 8 | Tom Purtzer | +6 | $9,000 | |
| T9 | Keith Fergus | +7 | $7,500 | |
| T9 | Jack Nicklaus | +7 | $7,500 |
U.S. Open winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1979 U.S. Open payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1979 U.S. Open get?
Hale Irwin won $50,000 from a $325,000 purse.
What was the 1979 U.S. Open purse?
$325,000.