St Andrews, Scotland: The Champion Golfer of the Year at next month’s 144th Open will earn more than £1 million for the first time.
Ahead of this week’s Travelers Championship, the first of three Open Qualifying Series events on the PGA Tour, The R&A announced that the prize fund for this year’s Open Championship will rise to £6.3 million, an increase of £900,000 on the 2014 total.
The champion will receive £1.15 million, up £175,000 from the previous year.

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “The Open is one of the world’s pre-eminent sporting events. The championship represents the pinnacle for the world’s greatest golfers and this increase is appropriate for an event with The Open’s global appeal.”
Prize money shall be allocated only to professional golfers.
If more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds, additional prize money will be added. Prize money will decrease by £100 per qualifying place above 70 to a minimum of £9,000.
Non-qualifiers after two rounds: Leading 10 professional golfers and ties £4,500; next 20 professional golfers and ties £3,600; remaining professional golfers £3,000.
The 144th Open will be played at St Andrews from July 16-19.
The Open is golf’s oldest Major. Played since 1860 on links golf courses, it is the game’s most international Major championship with qualifying events on every continent.
Organised by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of up to £100 million to its host region, while the championship’s commercial success supports the development of the game, worldwide.