Golf Business News – Open Championship prize fund boosted to new record high

The winner of The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon will receive $3.1 million (£2.4m) in prize money.

The Champion Golfer of the Year will receive the highest amount in The Open’s history as it returns to the renowned Ayrshire links for the tenth time.

The R&A announced that the total prize fund for The Open will be $17 million (£13m), representing a $500,000 increase on 2023.

The last time that Royal Troon hosted The Open in 2016, winner Henrik Stenson received $1.55m, meaning that the first prize has exactly doubled in the last eight years, while the total prize fund has gone up by 98% over the same period.

Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said: “The R&A has a responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining The Open’s position in the global game, providing the funds required for governance and developing amateur and recreational golf in 146 countries internationally.

“We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future.

“We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability. We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”

Prize money

If more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds, additional prize money will be added. Prize money will decrease by $125 per qualifying place above 70 to a minimum of $37,650.

Of those who miss the cut, the leading 10 professionals and ties will be paid $12,350; the next 20 and ties $10,300, while the remainder will receive $8,750.