TROON, Scotland -- The golfer who captures the 152nd Open Championship and lifts the Claret Jug at Royal Troon Golf Club on Sunday will collect a record winner's purse.
The R&A announced Monday that this year's Champion Golfer of the Year will receive $3.1 million of a record $17 million purse. That's a $500,000 increase from last year. The runner-up will take home about $1.76 million, while the third-place finisher gets almost $1.13 million.
At Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, in 2023, American Brian Harman collected $3 million of a $16.5 million purse after his dominant six-shot victory.
"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," R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said in a statement. "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."
The Open's modest increase leaves it fourth among the major championships in purses. U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau collected $4.3 million of a $21.5 million purse. Scottie Scheffler won $3.6 million of a $20 million purse after taking his second green jacket at the Masters in April, and Xander Schauffele took home $3.3 million of an $18.5 million purse at the PGA Championship after winning his first major.
"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," Slumbers said. "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."