When Scottie Scheffler tapped in his final putt at Royal Portrush in 2025, he wasn't just etching his name into the history books. He was securing a massive payday. Most people see the Claret Jug and think about the prestige, the history, and the tradition of the world's oldest major. But let's be real—the british open prize money is the other half of the conversation that keeps the modern pro game spinning.
Honestly, the numbers are kind of staggering when you look at how far they've come. We aren't talking about a few hundred pounds anymore. The R&A—the folks who run the show—handed out a total purse of $17 million for the 2025 Championship. It's a huge sum, but interestingly, it was exactly the same amount as the year before. While other majors like the U.S. Open have seen their prize pools skyrocket past the $20 million mark, the R&A has been a bit more conservative lately.
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But don't feel too bad for Scheffler. His winner’s share was a cool $3.1 million. Not a bad week’s work for four days of golf in the rain.
Why the British Open Prize Money Matters More Than Ever
In the current landscape of professional golf, where LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are essentially in a spending war, the "value" of a major title is under a microscope. You’ve got players making tens of millions just to show up at certain events. Yet, the Open Championship remains the one they all want.
The british open prize money structure is actually pretty fascinating. Unlike some tournaments where the money drops off a cliff after the top 10, the Open pays out deep into the field. If you make the cut, you're looking at a minimum of about $38,900. Even the guys who missed the cut at Portrush walked away with something, ranging from $8,750 to over $12,000 depending on how close they were to the weekend.
A Quick Reality Check on the Numbers
To put the 2025 payout in perspective, let’s look at the top of the leaderboard from Royal Portrush:
- Scottie Scheffler (1st): $3,100,000
- Harris English (2nd): $1,759,000
- Chris Gotterup (3rd): $1,128,000
- Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick, Haotong Li (T4): $730,667 each
If you're wondering why the winner gets exactly $3.1 million, it’s basically 18% of the total purse. That’s the standard cut for the "Champion Golfer of the Year."
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The Evolution of the Purse (From £0 to Millions)
It’s actually wild to think about, but for the first three years of the tournament's existence (1860-1862), there was literally zero prize money. None. The winner got a belt and a pat on the back. It wasn't until 1863 that they finally scraped together £10 to split among the pros.
By the time the tournament hit the mid-90s, things started getting serious. In 1993, Greg Norman won at Royal St George’s and the total purse hit £1 million for the first time. Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing $17 million.
Wait—did you notice the switch from Pounds to Dollars? That happened in 2017. The R&A decided to pay out in U.S. Dollars because, well, that's the global currency of professional golf. It makes the tournament look more competitive on the world stage, especially when compared to the Masters or the PGA Championship.
The Major Comparison Problem
Despite the $17 million pool, the British Open is actually the "cheapest" major to win right now.
- U.S. Open: $21.5 million purse ($4.3M to the winner)
- The Masters: $20 million purse ($3.6M to the winner)
- PGA Championship: $19 million purse ($3.42M to the winner)
There’s been some chatter in the locker rooms about whether the R&A needs to bump the british open prize money for 2026. Mark Darbon, the R&A’s chief executive, has been vocal about wanting to compensate the "stars" of the sport, but they also have to balance that with the massive costs of hosting an event on a rotating roster of links courses.
The "Hidden" Value of Winning the Open
The money is great, but the Claret Jug comes with perks that are arguably worth more than the $3.1 million check. If you win, you get:
- Entry into every Open Championship until you're 55.
- A five-year exemption into the Masters, U.S. Open, and PGA Championship.
- Five years of job security on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
- Lifetime invitations to the Senior majors once you turn 50.
For a guy like Chris Gotterup, who finished third in 2025, that $1.1 million is life-changing. It’s not just about the bank account; it’s about the status that comes with it.
What Happens if You're an Amateur?
Here is a weird quirk: if an amateur wins (which hasn’t happened since Bobby Jones in 1930), they get $0.00. They get the trophy, the medal, and the glory, but the money is redistributed among the professionals who made the cut. In 2025, we saw Jacob Skov Olesen finish 68th as an amateur. He got the experience of a lifetime, but he didn't see a dime of that $39,400 allocated to his position.
What to Expect for the 2026 Purse
As we head into the 2026 season, all eyes are on the R&A. With the Sony Open and other Tour events already seeing modest increases in their prize funds for 2026, it is highly likely that the british open prize money will finally break the $17 million ceiling. Most experts are predicting a jump to at least $18.5 million or $19 million to keep pace with the other majors.
The cost of being a professional golfer is rising—travel, caddies, coaches, physios—and the majors are the "bonus" weeks that define a career. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just someone who likes seeing big numbers, the financial side of the Open is just as much a part of the drama as a 40-foot putt on the 18th green.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- Check the leaderboard early: The difference between finishing 10th and 14th is about $65,000. That’s a lot of pressure on Sunday afternoon.
- Look at the exchange rate: Since the tournament pays in USD but is held in the UK/Northern Ireland, local players like Rory McIlroy or Robert MacIntyre have to keep an eye on how that $451,833 (for a T7 finish) converts back to Pounds.
- Don't ignore the missed cut: The $8,750 given to those who miss the cut is vital for lower-ranked players to cover their weekly expenses.
If you are following the 2026 season, keep a close watch on the R&A's official announcements in early July. That's usually when they drop the final breakdown of the purse.
For now, the best way to stay informed is to track the performance of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking, as their results in the lead-up to the summer will dictate the favorites for that massive $3 million-plus winner’s check. You should also keep an eye on the DP World Tour’s "Race to Dubai" standings, as they often provide the best indicator of which international players are in form to challenge the American dominance we saw from Scheffler and Schauffele in recent years.
Next Steps: You can track the official R&A announcements on their website or follow the PGA Tour's money list to see how the top players are trending before the next major championship.