The first three winners of the Open Championship (1860-1862) didn't receive any prize money at all. That's almost hard to believe given the cash on offer in the modern era and the figures were eyepopping when they were released after Scottie Scheffler's victory in the 2025 edition at Royal Portrush.
But first, let's continue the brief history lesson to see how prize money has evolved.
In 1863, there was finally a prize fund, the princely sum of £10 being shared between the eight professionals in the 14-man field.
A year later, the winner, Old Tom Morris, banked £6 (40% of the £15 purse). Obviously, that needs some context, otherwise it sounds like very little. According to the Bank of England inflation calculator, £6 back then was worth about £660.
Prize money rose rapidly from the 1960s onwards when Arnold Palmer revitalised the tournament and it's continued to accelerate ever since.
Landmark moments in Open purses and who scooped the top prize
1965: £10,000 – winner Peter Thomson (£1,750)
1977: £100,000 – winner Tom Watson (£10,000)
1993: £1,000,000 – winner Greg Norman (£100,000
2011: £5,000,000 – winner Darren Clarke (£900,000)
In 2017, the total purse ($10,250,000) was displayed in US dollars for the first time.
Prize money continues to rise and the last two winners were incredibly well-rewarded.
2025: $17,000,000 - winner Scottie Scheffler ($3,100,000)
2024: $17,000,000 - winner Xander Schauffele ($3,100,000)
Players who made the cut at Royal Portrush earned at least $38,900.
Here's what the top 10 pocketed in the 2025 Open:
1st: $3,100,000 Scottie Scheffler
2nd: $1,759,000 Harris English
3rd: $1,128,000 Chris Gotterup
T4th: $730,667 Wyndham Clark
T4th: $730,667 Matt Fitzpatrick
T4th: $730,667 Haotong Li
T7th: $451,833 Robert MacIntyre
T7th: $451,833 Xander Schauffele
T7th: $451,833 Rory McIlroy
T10th: $304,650 Bryson DeChambeau
T10th: $304,650 Corey Conners
T10th: $304,650 Brian Harman
T10th: $304,650 Russell Henley
After securing his fourth major title with a commanding win at the 2025 Open Championship, Scottie Scheffler was once again faced with comparisons to Tiger Woods - but the World No 1 was quick to play down any parallels.
Scottie Scheffler's rivals could do nothing but marvel at his incredible performance after the American soared to a four-shot victory at the Open Championship.
World Number One Scottie Scheffler strolled to a four-shot victory to secure the 153rd Open title at Royal Portrush on Sunday.
World number one Scottie Scheffler's flawless 67in the third round of The Open Championship was enough to earn him a four-stroke lead going into Sunday.
