Martin Slumbers, the R&A chief executive, expressed his worries about high prize money in men’s golf.
The Open Championship at Royal Troon has a $17 million prize fund, with the winner getting $3.1 million and the Claret Jug.
This year’s total prize is just $500,000 more than last year’s Hoylake event, making it the smallest among the four major tournaments.
Prize Money Comparisons
The US Open leads with a $21.5 million purse, followed by The Masters at $20 million and PGA Championship at $18.5 million. Even LIV Golf events offer more with their $20 million prizes.
Slumbers defended this by saying that R&A must balance maintaining The Open’s status while also supporting amateur golf worldwide . “We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future,” he said.
Fans might think these huge sums are hurting golf’s image. Brian Harman won last year’s Open Championship (Image credit: Getty Images).
Saudi Arabia PIF introduced big LIV Golf prizes to lure top players from PGA Tour, which Jay Monahan countered with Signature Events. Prize money keeps rising but TV viewership hasn’t matched this growth.
“We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability,” added Slumbers.
Fans might feel conflicted about these changes in golf’s landscape.
So, what do you think? Is all this money good or bad for golf?
