2026 Open Championship Champion Collects Record Payout
Record‑Breaking Purse and Winner’s Share
The R&A inflated this year’s competition fund to a historic $17.75 million, a $500 k rise over last season’s total and more than double the $10.25 million offered when Royal Birkdale last hosted the event in 2017. The champion walks away with $3.2 million, the largest single‑winner check in the tournament’s history. Sam Burns entered the final round on July 19 with a two‑shot cushion and a chance to claim his first major title, while the elevated purse made every spot on the leaderboard more valuable.
Sam Burns’ Shot at History
Entering Sunday, Burns held a two‑stroke lead, positioning himself to become just the second player in recent memory to capture a first‑time major at Royal Birkdale. The $3.2 million jackpot adds extra pressure, but also extra reward for any golfer who can out‑duel the field on the final day.
Full Payout Breakdown for All Finishers
2026 Open Championship payouts
Position
Prize Money
1
$3,200,000
2
$1,842,000
3
$1,181,000
4
$917,000
5
$738,000
6
$639,700
7
$549,700
8
$463,250
9
$406,200
10
$367,000
11
$334,200
12
$296,000
13
$278,500
14
$260,700
15
$241,900
16
$222,700
17
$212,000
18
$202,000
19
$193,600
20
$184,500
21
$175,900
22
$167,100
23
$158,100
24
$149,300
25
$144,250
26
$138,000
27
$133,000
28
$128,400
29
$122,800
30
$116,500
31
$112,700
32
$106,900
33
$103,100
34
$100,200
35
$96,700
36
$92,900
37
$88,500
38
$84,100
39
$81,000
40
$78,400
41
$75,200
42
$71,500
43
$68,300
44
$64,400
45
$60,700
46
$57,600
47
$55,300
48
$53,100
49
$50,700
50
$49,400
51
$48,350
52
$47,500
53
$46,800
54
$46,100
55
$45,300
56
$44,700
57
$44,250
58
$43,950
59
$43,625
60
$43,325
61
$43,100
62
$42,900
63
$42,700
64
$42,500
65
$42,150
66
$41,825
67
$41,500
68
$41,200
69
$40,900
70
$40,700
71
$40,575
72
$40,450
73
$40,325
74
$40,200
75
$40,075
76
$39,950
77
$38,825
78
$38,700
Key Moments from the Field (Image Gallery)
Below is the original gallery from USA TODAY showcasing the action and players throughout the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
1 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
The 2026 Open Championship is underway from Royal Birkdale in England. Scottie Scheffler is attempting to defend his 2025 title and bounce back from a rare missed cut at last week’s Scottish Open.
(Andrew Boyers, REUTERS)
1 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
The 2026 Open Championship is underway from Royal Birkdale in England. Scottie Scheffler is attempting to defend his 2025 title and bounce back from a rare missed cut at last week’s Scottish Open.
(Andrew Boyers, REUTERS)
2 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
(ANDY BUCHANAN, AFP via Getty Images)
3 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Bryson DeChambeau lines up his putt on the 9th green.
(ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
4 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Daniel Brown in action during the first round.
(Phil Noble, REUTERS)
5 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Bryson DeChambeau on the 9th green.
(ANDY BUCHANAN, AFP via Getty Images)
6 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Alex Smalley in action.
(Andrew Boyers, REUTERS)
7 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
South Korea’s Sungjae Im plays from the 1st tee.
(ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
8 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Scottie Scheffler in action.
(Andrew Boyers, REUTERS)
9 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Justin Thomas watches his drive from the 10th tee.
(BEN STANSALL, AFP via Getty Images)
10 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Rory McIlroy in action.
(Andrew Boyers, REUTERS)
11 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Gerard watches his drive from the 1st tee.
(BEN STANSALL, AFP via Getty Images)
12 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Robert MacIntyre in action.
(Phil Noble, REUTERS)
13 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Scheffler watches his drive from the 11th tee.
(ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
14 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Thomas Detry plays his tee shot on the 9th hole.
(Bill Streicher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15 / 15
Scottie Scheffler starts title defense at Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
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