The winner of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s will receive more than US$2 million in prize money for the first time in the championship’s history.
The ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ will receive US$2,070,000 at the end of the season’s final Major, which takes place on July 15-18 at the famous Kent links. The total prize fund is US$11.5 million.
“We have increased the prize fund for The Open this year and believe that it fully reflects the championship’s stature in world sport. As the only men’s major championship played outside of America, The Open has a global role to play and we are determined to continue to attract the top players,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A.
“We are further enhancing the status of our professional championships at the same time as making good progress towards our investment of £200 million over ten years in growing golf around the world.”
The runner-up will receive US$1,198,000, while third place is worth US$768,000.
The prize money breakdown allocates US$26,500 for 70th place. If more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds, additional prize money will be added. Prize money will decrease by US$125 per qualifying place above 70 to a minimum of US$13,500.
For non-qualifiers after two rounds, the leading 10 professional golfers and ties receive US$8,000; the next 20 professional golfers and ties US$6,500; remainder of professional golfers and ties US$5,350.
