sports
Open Championship purse rises to $17.5 million for 2026
The R&A raised the total prize fund by $500,000 for the event at Royal Birkdale. The winner will receive $3.2 million, still below the PGA Championship payout.
Jul 18, 11:50 AM·1m read1 source
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The 2026 Open Championship will carry a total purse of $17.5 million when it is played at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. CBS Sports reported the figure, which represents a $500,000 increase from the 2025 total. The amount remains $3 million below the PGA Championship purse of $20.5 million set for the same year.
The winner will receive $3.2 million. Second place pays $1,842,000, third place $1,181,000, fourth place $917,000 and fifth place $738,000. Payouts continue to decline through 70th place, which receives $40,700.
CBS Sports reported that the top seven finishers each earn at least $500,000 and the top 34 players each receive six-figure sums. The R&A has applied steady, modest increases to the purse in recent years rather than larger jumps seen in other majors. If more than 70 players make the cut, each prize decreases by $125 for every additional qualifying place above 70, down to a minimum of $39,450.
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