The Open Championship will feature record Open Prize Money in 2026, with Royal Birkdale set to stage a $17.75m purse and a $3.2m winner's check.
The R&A said the figures are posted in US dollars, and the payout structure applies only to professional players. The increase gives the event another major-championship benchmark at the top of the leaderboard, where the champion and runners-up will be fighting for one of the biggest prizes in golf.
What the 2026 payout looks like
The winner at The Open 2026 will receive $3.2m, which is equal to £2.4m using the conversion rates in place as of 15 July, 2026. That is a significant jump from 2025, when Scottie Scheffler won The Open and earned around £2.3m, while the total prize pool at Royal Portrush stood at $17m.
The broader purse has also moved up to $17.75m. Along with the champion's share, the prize money table shows how the event distributes money well beyond the top spot. The runner-up is set for $1.1m, or £820,000, while third place will earn $500,000, or £372,900.
Even players lower on the leaderboard still have meaningful rewards available. Fourth place pays $40,700, and fifth is worth $40,575. A finish of sixth brings $39,450, while seventh pays $12,900 and eighth pays $10,750. The payouts continue through the field, down to $125 for 63rd and £93 for 64th.
Why it matters
For players near the top, the difference between finishing first, second, or third at The Open now carries even more weight. The record purse at Royal Birkdale means one strong weekend can have a major financial impact, while even those who make the cut and finish in the middle of the pack will have reason to keep pushing.
That is what makes Open Prize Money such an important part of the championship picture. It does not change the prestige of the trophy, but it does make every place on the final leaderboard more valuable.
