The 2026 Open Championship will offer the biggest prize fund in the tournament’s history, giving players more to compete for at Royal Birkdale. The R&A has increased both the overall purse and the winner’s cheque from last year’s edition. The total prize fund now stands at $17.75 million, with this year’s champion set to receive $3.2 million.
The increase also means bigger payouts across the leaderboard, with players finishing inside the top seven guaranteed more than $500,000. Professionals who miss the cut will also receive prize money, while amateur golfers are not eligible for tournament earnings, according to The R&A.
The Open 2026 prize money
The champion of The Open 2026 will take home $3.2 million. The runner-up will receive $1.842 million, while third place is worth $1.181 million.
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The Open payouts remain significant throughout the leaderboard. Every player finishing inside the top seven will earn more than $500,000, while a top-10 finish is worth at least $367,000.
Here is the prize money for the top 30 finishers:
- 1st: $3,200,000
- 2nd: $1,842,000
- 3rd: $1,181,000
- 4th: $917,000
- 5th: $738,000
- 6th: $639,700
- 7th: $549,700
- 8th: $463,250
- 9th: $406,200
- 10th: $367,000
- 11th: $334,200
- 12th: $296,000
- 13th: $278,500
- 14th: $260,700
- 15th: $241,900
- 16th: $222,700
- 17th: $212,000
- 18th: $202,000
- 19th: $193,600
- 20th: $184,500
- 21st: $175,900
- 22nd: $167,100
- 23rd: $158,100
- 24th: $149,300
- 25th: $144,250
- 26th: $138,000
- 27th: $133,000
- 28th: $128,400
- 29th: $122,800
- 30th: $116,500
A golfer finishing 70th will receive $40,700. If more than 70 players make the cut, the player in 71st will earn $40,575, with the prize dropping by $125 for every position after that until it reaches a minimum of $39,450, if needed.
The R&A also awards prize money to professionals who miss the cut. The top 10 professionals below the cut line will each receive $12,900. The next best 20 professionals will earn $10,750 each, while all remaining professionals will receive $9,100.
Prize money is paid only to professional golfers. Amateurs do not receive prize money, regardless of where they finish.
The increased purse continues the steady rise in prize money at The Open. Scottie Scheffler won the 2025 championship, but the 2026 winner will take home an even larger cheque under The R&A’s updated prize structure.
