The US Amateur is one of the biggest events in golf, with 312 qualifiers playing in 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying to get down to a 64-player match-play bracket and identify a champion. It's a big deal.
However, there is not big money involved in the US Amateur. In fact, no player is paid for participating in the US Amateur. There is no prize money to the winning or losing player in the final, or anything like that.
The US Amateur golf championship is played strictly for prize of being the best amateur in the game.
There are benefits to getting into the final match of the US Amateur. Both players, the winner and the loser, traditionally earn an invitation to the Masters. The winning player and runner-up both also get in the US Open. The winner gets into the British Open Championship, and both players garner invitations to several PGA Tour events as well.
The 2017 US Amateur is played at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., with Bel Air Country Club co-hosting stroke play.