SOUTHPORT, England — The Open Championship is not getting caught up in the ongoing prize money arms race in golf, and will continue to offer the lowest purse among the four majors by a wide margin.
This week’s tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club will pay out $17.75 million in prize money, up less than 5% from the $17 million purse at the 2025 Open Championship.
Sunday’s winner will take home the Claret Jug and receive $3.2 million—$100,000 more than the $3.1 million Scottie Scheffler won at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
The $750,000 year-over-year increase in the total Open Championship purse comes after the other three majors this year raised their purses by at least $1 million.
- The Masters: $22.5 million (up from $21 million)
- U.S. Open: $22.5 million (up from $21.5 million)
- PGA Championship: $20.5 million (up from $19 million)
- Open Championship: $17.75 million (up from $17 million)
Mark Darbon, CEO of the R&A, which runs The Open, previously expressed some concern about the fast growth of prize money in professional golf since the launch of LIV Golf in 2022. During his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, Darbon said, “Prize money is but one component of that comparison. At the same time, we’re trying to find a model that gets the balance right.”
LIV this year has paid out $32.3 million in prize money at each event. The PGA Tour’s eight signature events have $20 million purses, and its flagship event, the Players Championship, paid out $25 million.
The PGA Championship, operated by the PGA of America (a separate organization from the PGA Tour), in May became the third major to cross the $20 million mark in prize money. However, it appears the Open won’t be joining that club any time soon.
The U.S. Open, run by the USGA, in June matched the Masters at $22.5 million after Augusta National in April briefly surpassed the U.S. Open to claim the richest major championship title all by itself.
Pay Day
The top 70 players and ties after two rounds of the Open will make the 36-hole cut; solo 70th place would pay out $40,700.
Players who miss the cut still get a payout. The leading 10 golfers in that group will receive $12,900, the next 20 $10,750, and the remainder $9,100.
The 10 amateur golfers in the field at Royal Birkdale will not be allowed to accept prize money.
