Our source lists prize money for the top 10 finishers only, so the rest of the field isn't shown.
Cary Middlecoff finished +1 and took 25% of the purse. That $6,000 is worth about $73,334 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1956 U.S. Open purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1956 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 | Cary Middlecoff | +1 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| T2 | Julius Boros | +2 | $3,600 | $2,650 |
| T2 | Ben Hogan | +2 | $3,600 | $2,650 |
| T4 | Ed Furgol | +5 | $1,033 | |
| T4 | Ted Kroll | +5 | $1,033 | |
| T4 | Peter Thomson | +5 | $1,033 | |
| 7 | Arnold Palmer | +7 | $540 | $600 +11% |
| 8 | Ken Venturi Amateur | +9 | Not known | |
| T9 | Jerry Barber | +10 | $416 | |
| T9 | Wes Ellis | +10 | $416 | |
| T9 | Doug Ford | +10 | $416 |
U.S. Open winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1956 U.S. Open payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1956 U.S. Open get?
Cary Middlecoff won $6,000 from a $24,000 purse.
What was the 1956 U.S. Open purse?
$24,000.