Our source lists prize money for the top 10 finishers only, so the rest of the field isn't shown.
Byron Nelson finished +8 and took 20% of the purse. That $1,000 is worth about $23,888 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1939 U.S. Open purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1939 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 | Byron Nelson | +8 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| 2 | Craig Wood | +8 | $800 | $800 |
| 3 | Denny Shute | +8 | $650 | $700 +8% |
| 4 | Bud Ward Amateur | +9 | Not known | |
| 5 | Sam Snead | +10 | $412 | $600 +46% |
| 6 | Johnny Bulla | +11 | $450 | |
| T7 | Ralph Guldahl | +12 | $216 | $325 |
| T7 | Dick Metz | +12 | $216 | $325 |
| T9 | Ky Laffoon | +13 | $175 | |
| T9 | Harold McSpaden | +13 | $175 | |
| T9 | Paul Runyan | +13 | $175 |
U.S. Open winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1939 U.S. Open payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1939 U.S. Open get?
Byron Nelson won $1,000 from a $5,000 purse.
What was the 1939 U.S. Open purse?
$5,000.