British Open Offers Record $14M Purse

The winner of next weekend’s British Open will receive a record $2.5 million — $1.5 million less than Branden Grace secured for his first-place finish at the last LIV Golf Invitational Series event.

The overall purse announced by the golf governing body R&A on Friday is a 22% increase over last year’s British Open. The 150th Open will commence at St. Andrews on Thursday, and golfers who signed on with LIV Golf can compete, just as R&A partner USGA allowed them to play in last month’s U.S. Open.

Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson are among the LIV Golf competitors slated to play in the British Open.

• The total purse for the British Open is $14 million. LIV Golf’s Portland event earlier this month at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club had a purse of $25 million.
• The British Open will have 156 competitors compared to the 48-player field for LIV Golf’s first two events.
• A player missing the cut at the British Open could make as little as $7,000. Jediah Morgan earned $120,000 for his dead-last finish at the Portland LIV Golf event.

Peace Talks Ahead?

“If these people are serious about investing billions into golf, I think ultimately that’s a good thing,” said Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion who has so far has rejected LIV Golf’s overtures. “Everyone needs to try to come together a little more.”