Need to know

The Open Championship winner will receive a record prize, as well as the famous Claret Jug

Prize money has increased since Scottie Scheffler lifted the Claret Jug in 2025(Image: Phil Harris/Daily Mirror)

How much prize money does The Open champion receive?

1. Total tournament purse: The R&A has established a record-breaking prize fund for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The total pot has hit £13.3million, an increase of £560,000 from the 2025 event.
2. Champion golfer payout: The player who secures the iconic Claret Jug will take home an extraordinary individual payout. The winner's share has climbed to a record £2.4m, up almost £75,000 from last year.
3. Runner-up earnings: Securing a top finish just behind the champion remains incredibly lucrative. The player finishing in second place will collect approximately £1.37m. Meanwhile, the third-place finisher is set to claim a substantial six-figure reward totalling roughly £881,000.
4. Tax deductions: Since the tournament is played on British soil, all player winnings are subject to UK tax laws. High-earning players face a top-tier income tax rate of 45% on all earnings that surpass the £125,140 threshold, significantly reducing their actual take-home pay. This heavy tax burden provides a sharp contrast to the tax-free or low-tax environments found in certain other countries.
5. Caddie and staff bonuses: Elite professionals routinely distribute a significant portion of their prize earnings to their support networks. A winning caddie traditionally commands a 10% commission, which amounts to a massive £240,000 before taxes are deducted from the winner's share. Furthermore, performance coaches, sports psychologists and physiotherapists will receive predetermined percentages of the final payout.
6. Missed cut compensation: Golfers who miss the weekend are still compensated to help mitigate the high costs of competing. The top 10 players who fall short of the 36-hole cut line will receive a safety-net payment of roughly £9,600. Additionally, the next 20 players will take home £8,000 each, while all remaining players in the field are allocated £6,800.
7. READ MORE: Why is it called The Open and not The British Open?