The winner stands to earn a healthy cash reward despite The Open lagging behind the other three majors for prize money
As the 2024 Open Championship approaches its climax, the stage is set for an electrifying final round, with major debutant Dan Brown making an impressive charge towards the top of a fiercely competitive leaderboard.
Overnight leader Billy Horschel faces fierce competition from a stellar lineup that includes Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Justin Rose, Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas, and Adam Scott. The stakes are high as these golf giants vie for the prestigious Claret Jug, a trophy with a rich history dating back to its first award in 1872, and a winner’s cheque of $3.1 million (£2.4 million).
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) has boosted the total prize fund to $17 million (£13.4 million) for this year’s Open, an increase of $500,000 from last year. Despite this increase, The Open remains the least lucrative of golf’s four major championships. For comparison, Bryson DeChambeau pocketed $4.3 million for his U.S. Open victory, Scottie Scheffler earned $3.6 million for winning the Masters, and Xander Schauffele received $3.3 million for his triumph at the PGA Championship.
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers addressed the issue, stating, “A, I didn’t know, and B, I don’t care. While we will always offer a very competitive prize fund for the Open, our wider focus is on increasing participation and improving pathways in golf. We have to make choices about how we allocate resources and make the resources we have go as far as they can. Our responsibility is to ensure the game is thriving 50 years from now.”
#### Open Championship 2024 Prize Money Breakdown:
– **First place:** $3.1 million (£2.4 million)
– **Second place:** $1,759,000
– **Third place:** $1,128,000
– **Fourth place:** $876,000
– **Fifth place:** $705,000
– **Sixth place:** $611,000
– **Seventh place:** $525,000
– **Eighth place:** $442,500
– **Ninth place:** $388,000
– **Tenth place:** $350,600
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on the players as they navigate the pressure and challenges of the course, each one determined to etch their name in the storied history of The Open Championship.
