Open prize breaks £1M barrier

The winner of the Open Championship will earn more than £1million for the first time ever at St Andrews next month, the R&A announced on Wednesday.

The overall prize fund for the game’s oldest major championship has increased £900,000 to £6.3million, with the champion receiving £1,150,000. That is £175,000 more than Rory McIlroy won at Hoylake last year.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson 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.”

Jordan Spieth won USD 1.8million (£1,142,000) for his US Open triumph on Sunday.