Open Championship Still Trails In Golf’s Prize Pool Arms Race

The Open Championship purse is getting a substantial increase over last year, but still ranks last among golf’s four major championships.

Next week’s tournament — which starts July 20 at Royal Liverpool in England — will pay out $16.5 million, including $3 million to the winner. That prize pool lags behind the U.S. Open ($20 million), Masters ($18 million), and PGA Championship ($17.5 million).

Before the birth of LIV Golf, the major championships and the Players Championship were the highest purses in golf each year. This season, only the U.S. Open matched the $20 million purse offered at the PGA Tour’s elevated events and LIV Golf tournaments, while the Players offered $25 million.

Despite the increased prize money throughout golf, the majors have still attracted the best fields and drawn the most eyeballs. 

The governing bodies that run each of those four events — the USGA, R&A, PGA of America, and Augusta National — also have the most control of the professional game. They hold four of the seven spots that determine who receives Official World Golf Ranking points.

Deep Pockets

Golf’s landscape will continue to change into 2024 and beyond as the PGA Tour attempts to finalize its controversial deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The PIF could invest more than $1 billion into the Tour through the alliance.