The winner of the 2000 Open Championship at St Andrews will receive £500,000, an increase of £150,000 on the cheque that accompanied the Claret Jug which Paul Laurie won last year at Carnoustie.
This latest increase is included in the record total of £2.74 million and underlines the R&A’s determination to offer prize money which reflects golf’s major championship and is in line with the other three majors.
“In addition to the 43% increase for the winner, we have substantially increased all prize money by amounts ranging from 14% to 40%,” said David Hill, Championship Secretary of the R&A. “This now means that while there will be £500,000 for the winner, any player who makes the cut will receive at least £7,000.”
An indication of the rapid growth in prize money is shown by what was on offer when John Daly won at St Andrews in 1995. Then he received £125,000 out of a total of £1.25 million. In the five years since then total prize money has more than doubled and the winner’s cheque has increased four-fold.