The British Open will pay out $17 million this week for golf’s oldest major, which dates to 1860. First place is worth $3.1 million, per the R&A, which runs the tournament. The total money and winner’s share are both flat from the 2024 event when Xander Schauffele captured the Claret Jug.
It is the first time since 2012 that the R&A did not increase the purse. Last year, the boost was just 3% for the total payout and top prize. “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,” Martin Slumbers, then CEO of the R&A, said when announcing the 2024 prize money.
Last month’s U.S. Open also did not increase its purse of $21.5 million and first-place check of $4.3 million, which J.J. Spaun won. But unlike the British Open and its steady pay bumps, the U.S. Open has often paused raising prize money, with eight different instances since 2008 where there was no increase for the winner’s portion.
The winner’s share for the U.S. Open has nearly doubled since 2021, when Jon Rahm earned $2.25 million, while the bump is 50% at the British Open.
The U.S. Open has the highest total purse and winner’s share among the four majors. In April, the Masters paid out $21 million, including $4.2 million for Rory McIlroy’s winner’s share—a $600,000 year-over-year bump from the previous top prize. Scottie Scheffler made $3.42 million for his PGA Championship title—the total payout was $19 million.
This will be the third British Open held at Portrush in Northern Ireland. Shane Lowry won the last time it was there in 2019. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite at 9/2, according to DraftKings. Next up is McIlroy (7-1), Bryson DeChambeau (20-1) and Schauffele (25-1).
Golfers who make the cut this week will be guaranteed at least $37,650. For those missing the cut, the payout ranges from $8,750 to $12,350.
