NBA Player Salaries: Earnings of Every Star (2024)

The Open Championship Purse: A Sign of Stagnation in Golf’s Evolving Financial Landscape

A curious trend is emerging in professional golf: while prize money across the sport has exploded in recent years, The Open Championship is bucking the trend. For the first time since 2017, the R&A has held the total purse steady at $17 million for the 2025 tournament at Royal Portrush, a stark contrast to the escalating payouts seen at the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open. This isn’t just a minor adjustment; it signals a potential shift in the dynamics of major championship funding and raises questions about the Open’s future positioning within the increasingly lucrative world of professional golf.

The Major Money Race: Where Does The Open Stand?

The numbers tell a clear story. This year, the Masters boasted a $21 million purse, the PGA Championship $19 million, and the U.S. Open $21.5 million. Even the PGA Tour’s eight Signature Events offer $20 million, exceeding the Open’s total. The Players Championship, with its staggering $25 million purse, remains the undisputed financial king of golf. This disparity isn’t lost on players, agents, or fans, and it begs the question: is The Open falling behind?

A Deep Dive into the 2025 Payouts

Despite the flat overall purse, the financial rewards for top performers at Royal Portrush remain substantial. Scottie Scheffler’s victory earned him $3.1 million, mirroring Xander Schauffele’s 2024 winnings. The runner-up, Harris English, took home $1.759 million, while Chris Gotterup secured $1.128 million for third place. The generosity extends down the leaderboard; even players missing the cut receive a significant payout, with the top 10 receiving $12,350, the next 20 $10,300, and the remainder $8,750. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the 2025 Open Championship payouts:

1. Winner: Scottie Scheffler, $3.1 million
2. 2nd: Harris English, $1.759 million
3. 3rd: Chris Gotterup, $1.128 million
4. T4. Wyndham Clark, $730,667
5. T4. Matt Fitzpatrick, $730,667
6. T4. Haotong Li, $730,667
7. T7. Robert MacIntyre, $451,834
8. T7. Xander Schauffele, $451,834
9. T7. Rory McIlroy, $451,834
10. T10. Bryson DeChambeau, $304,650
11. T10. Corey Conners, $304,650
12. T10. Brian Harman, $304,650
13. T10. Russell Henley, $304,650
14. T14. Rickie Fowler, $240,000
15. T14. Nicolai Hojgaard, $240,000
16. T16. Jesper Svensson, $185,258
17. T16. Hideki Matsuyama, $185,258
18. T16. Tommy Fleetwood, $185,258
19. T16. John Parry, $185,258
20. T16. Justin Rose, $185,258
21. T16. Rasmus Hojgaard, $185,258
22. T16. Tyrrell Hatton, $185,258
23. T23. Maverick McNealy, $138,040
24. T23. JJ SPAUN, $138,040
25. T23. Lucas Glover, $138,040
26. T23. Dustin Johnson, $138,040
27. T23. Ludvig Aberg, $138,040
28. T28. Harry Hall, $119,950
29. T28. Oliver Lindell, $119,950
30. T30. Daniel Berger, $104,850
31. T30. Akshay Bhatia, $104,850
32. T30. Keegan Bradley, $104,850
33. T30. Kristoffer Reitan, $104,850
34. T3 Sergio Garcia, $86.517
35. T34. AARON RAI, $86,517
36. T34. Jon rahm, $86,517
37. T34. Justin Thomas, $86,517
38. T34. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, $86,517
39. T34. Lee Westwood, $86,517
40. T40. Shane Lowry, $68,340
41. T40. Jordan Spieth, $68,340
42. T40. Jason Kokrak, $68,340
43. T40. Takumi Kanaya, $68,340
44. T40. Nathan Kimsey, $68,340
45. T45. Matt Wallace, $51,186
46. T45 Matthew Jordan, $51,186
47. T45. Thomas Detry, $51,186
48. T45. Henrik Stenson, $51,186
49. T45. Jordan Smith, $51,186
50. T45. Sam Burns, $51,186
51. T45. Thriston Lawrence, $51,186
52. T52. Adrien Saddier, $44,350
53. T52. Sepp Straka, $44,350
54. T52. Marc Leishman, $44,350
55. T52. Sungjae in, $44.350
56. T56. Phil Mickelson, $42,334
57. T56. Jhonattan Vegas, $42,334
58. T56. Tony Finau, $42,334
59. T59. Antoine Rozner, $41.550
60. T59. Justin Leonard, $41,550
61. T61. Dean Burmester, $41,100
62. T61. Romaine langasque, $41,100
63. T63. Riki Kawamoto, $40,280
64. T63. Andrew Novak, $40,280
65. T63. Viktor Hovland, $40,280
66. T63. Ryggs Johnston, $40,280
67. T63. Francesco Molinari, $40.280
68. T68. Jacob Skov Olesen, $39,400
69. T69. Matti Schmid, $39,100
70. T70. Sebastian Soderberg, $38,900

The R&A’s Strategy: Tradition vs. Financial Arms Race

The R&A’s decision to hold the purse steady likely reflects a commitment to the championship’s traditions and a different financial model than its American counterparts. The Open Championship generates significant revenue through ticket sales, broadcast rights, and corporate hospitality, but it also prioritizes reinvesting those funds into grassroots golf development and supporting the amateur game globally. The R&A’s charitable mission distinguishes it from the for-profit motivations driving some of the increases in other major purses.

The Impact of LIV Golf and the PGA Tour-PIF Deal

However, ignoring the broader financial landscape could be a misstep. The emergence of LIV Golf and the subsequent PGA Tour-PIF framework agreement have fundamentally altered the economics of professional golf. Players now have more leverage than ever, and the competition for top talent is fierce. A stagnant purse could make The Open less attractive to the world’s leading golfers, potentially diminishing its prestige and viewership.

Looking Ahead: Will The Open Adapt?

The future of The Open Championship’s purse is a critical issue. While maintaining its charitable focus is commendable, the R&A must find a way to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving financial environment. Potential solutions include exploring new sponsorship opportunities, increasing ticket prices strategically, or re-evaluating the allocation of revenue between grassroots development and prize money. The Open’s unique position as the oldest and arguably most historic championship in golf is invaluable, but it won’t be enough to guarantee its continued success if it falls significantly behind in the financial arms race. What will the R&A do to ensure The Open remains a premier destination for the world’s best golfers?