Sports
British Open Payout: Winner’s Share, Prize Money Breakdown, and More
Table of Contents
The 2025 Open Championship, also known as the British Open, is reaching its thrilling conclusion at Royal Portrush, with Scottie Scheffler leading the pack. As the world’s No. 1 golfer, Scheffler is just 18 holes away from securing his first Claret Jug—and a massive $3.1 million winner’s paycheck from the tournament’s $17 million purse.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down the British Open payout structure, including how much each player earns based on their final position. We’ll also compare the Open Championship’s prize money to other majors and discuss how the earnings are distributed among players who missed the cut.
2025 British Open Purse: Key Highlights
- Total Purse: $17 million
- Winner’s Share: $3.1 million
- Runner-Up: $1.759 million
- Third Place: $1.128 million
- Cut Line Payouts: Non-qualifying pros still earn between $8,750 and $12,350
The British Open traditionally offers the smallest purse among golf’s four majors. Here’s how it compares to the other 2025 majors:
- The Masters: $21 million ($4.2 million winner)
- PGA Championship: $19 million ($3.42 million winner)
- U.S. Open: $21.5 million ($4.3 million winner)
- The Open Championship: $17 million ($3.1 million winner)
Despite the smaller purse, winning the Claret Jug remains one of golf’s most prestigious achievements.
2025 British Open Leaderboard & Contenders
Heading into the final round, Scottie Scheffler holds a commanding lead at 14 under par, four strokes ahead of Haotong Li (10 under) and five ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick (9 under). Other notable contenders include:
- Rory McIlroy (8 under, six strokes back)
- Xander Schauffele (7 under)
- Viktor Hovland (6 under)
If Scheffler maintains his lead, he will claim his second major victory and further cement his dominance in men’s golf.
Complete 2025 British Open Payout Breakdown
Here’s how the $17 million purse is distributed among the top 70 finishers:
| Position | Payout |
|---|---|
| 1st | $3,100,000 |
| 2nd | $1,759,000 |
| 3rd | $1,128,000 |
| 4th | $876,000 |
| 5th | $705,000 |
| 6th | $611,000 |
| 7th | $525,000 |
| 8th | $442,500 |
| 9th | $388,000 |
| 10th | $350,600 |
| 11th-20th | $168,000 – $319,200 |
| 21st-30th | $111,200 – $159,600 |
| 31st-40th | $74,900 – $107,600 |
| 41st-50th | $47,200 – $71,800 |
| 51st-60th | $41,400 – $46,200 |
| 61st-70th | $38,900 – $41,200 |
Even players who miss the cut receive compensation:
- Top 10 non-qualifiers (and ties): $12,350
- Next 10 (and ties): $10,300
- Remaining professionals: $8,750
How to Watch the 2025 British Open Final Round
Golf fans can catch all the action on Sunday with the following broadcast schedule:
- USA Network: Coverage begins at 4:00 AM ET
- NBC: Broadcast starts at 7:00 AM ET
Streaming options are also available via Peacock, NBC Sports App, and TheOpen.com.
Final Thoughts: What’s at Stake in the 2025 Open Championship?
The British Open payout may be smaller than other majors, but the prestige of winning at Royal Portrush is unmatched. For Scottie Scheffler, a victory would mean:
- His first Claret Jug
- A $3.1 million payday
- Further solidifying his status as the world’s best golfer
For the chasing pack, including Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Rory McIlroy, Sunday offers a chance to stage a dramatic comeback and claim one of golf’s most coveted titles.
Stay tuned for an exciting final round—will Scheffler hold on, or will we see a historic comeback?