British Open boosts purse to $16.5 million, winner to get $3 million

HOYLAKE, England — The British Open is elevating its purse to $16.5 million, with the winner at Royal Liverpool subsequent week getting $3 million.

The overall prize fund was $14 million a yr in the past. Cameron Smith, who received at St. Andrews, earned $2.5 million (all figures U.S. {dollars}).

Prize cash elevated this yr in any respect the majors, with the U.S. Open going as much as $20 million, most among the many 4 Grand Slam occasions. Wyndham Clark obtained $3.6 million.

The Masters elevated its purse to $18 million ($3.24 million to Jon Rahm) whereas the PGA Championship went as much as $17.5 million (Brooks Koepka obtained $3.15 million).

“Our goal is to make sure The Open stays on the pinnacle of world golf and we have now nearly doubled the prize fund since 2016,” mentioned Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A.

Slumbers famous the “substantial will increase” in prize funds throughout golf, with the PGA Tour establishing $20 million purses for its elevated occasions and $25 million for The Gamers Championship. Saudi-funded LIV Golf provided $25 million purses — $20 million for particular person competitors — final yr.

Slumbers mentioned the R&A additionally has raised the prize cash for the Ladies’s British Open, together with placing extra assets into elite newbie competitors and applications to extend participation in golf.

“We consider that getting this steadiness proper is significant to the long-term way forward for the game,” he mentioned.