Get all the details for the 2025 British Open Payout breakdown: total prize money, winner’s $3.1 million check, full payout table, payouts for finishers & the financial impact on golfers.
🏌️ Purses in Modern Majors
The 153rd Open Championship was held on July 17–20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland which was featured a total purse of $17 million, unchanged from 2024 the third-highest of the four men’s majors. Though generous, The Open still trails the Masters ($21M) and on the other hand U.S. Open ($21.5M) in prize money.
🏆 Winner’s Prize : The Top Payday
- Champion’s share: $3.1 million (≈18% of the purse).
- Runner-up: $1.759 million.
- Third place: $1.128 million.
📊 Full Payment List
A standardized payout curve awarding top ten to six-figures, with details below for key finishers:
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 4th | $876,000 |
| 5th | $705,000 |
| 6th | $611,000 |
| 7th | $525,000 |
| 8th | $442,500 |
| 9th | $388,000 |
| 10th | $350,600 |
Extended payouts continue in $125 decrement steps to the 70th finisher, who earns $38,900, while further cuts adjust proportionally with a floor of $37,650 per player.
📉 Compensation for Missed Cut
Golfers missing the 36-hole cut still receive:
- Top‑10 non‑qualifiers: $12,350
- Next 20: $10,300
- Others: $8,750
🧮 Payout Information and Financial details
- The top 10 finishers capture around 58% of the total purse ($9.8M).
- A fifth-place finish yields ~4.15% of the purse, equalling $705K; finishing 50th still nets nearly $47K, a crucial stipend for many .
🤔 Why Payout Structure is important
- Golfers are independent contractors; they shoulder travel and coach costs .
- Lower finishers often struggle financially; even top‑70 payout can be offset by event expenses .
Champion Golfer of the Year. pic.twitter.com/oXijPBYOli
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025
🎁Winner’s Additional Perks
Scottie Scheffler, as champion, also earns:
- The Claret Jug, Gold Medal, “Champion Golfer” title
- 5‑year exemptions to all 4 majors and Players Championship
- Exemption to play The Open until age 55
- 100 Official World Golf Ranking points & 750 FedEx Cup points
- Access to Champions Corner, Ryder Cup points etc.
🔍 History
- The Open’s $17M purse has steadily increased (2017: $10.25M; 2023: $16.5M).
- Winner’s check up from $2.5M in 2022 to $3.1M in 2025 .
- Despite this, The Open remains financially behind the richest majors & signature PGA Tour events .
🧭 Financial Impacts Across Field
- Top pros: $1M+ checks improve season earnings and endorsements.
- Mid‑range finishers: six-figure earnings secure seasonal status and cover expenses.
- Cuts & misses: payouts help offset out-of-pocket costs, though margins are tight.
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