British Open raises purse to $16.5 million with the winner to get $3 million #British #Open #raises #purse #million #winner #million

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — The British Open is raising its purse to $16.5 million, with the winner at Royal Liverpool next week getting $3 million.

The total prize fund was $14 million a year ago. Cameron Smith, who won at St. Andrews, earned $2.5 million.

Prize money increased this year at all the majors, with the U.S. Open going up to $20 million, most among the four Grand Slam events. Wyndham Clark received $3.6 million.

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The Masters increased its purse to $18 million ($3.24 million to Jon Rahm) while the PGA Championship went up to $17.5 million (Brooks Koepka received $3.15 million).

“Our aim is to ensure The Open remains at the pinnacle of world golf and we have almost doubled the prize fund since 2016,” said Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A.

Slumbers noted the “substantial increases” in prize funds across golf, with the PGA Tour establishing $20 million purses for its elevated events and $25 million for The Players Championship. Saudi-funded LIV Golf offered $25 million purses — $20 million for individual competition — last year.

Slumbers said the R&A also has raised the prize money for the Women’s British Open, along with putting more resources into elite amateur competition and programs to increase participation in golf.

“We believe that getting this balance right is vital to the long-term future of the sport,” he said.