Prize money for the Open Championship at Carnoustie will be increased by ten per cent to achieve a total fund over just over £2m.
The jump in the prize fund comes just six years after the £1m barrier was broken for the first time. The winner at Carnoustie will receive £350,000 compared to the £7500 ‘s which Tom Watson picked up on the previous occasion the Open was played at the Scottish course in 1975.
There are two reasons for the increase, according to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s Championship Committee. Firstly, the worldwide interest in the Open’s return to Carnoustie has increased the anticipated income. Secondly, the cost of reinstating the infrastructure to the course and surroundings after a break of 25 years has not been as high as originally estimated.
