2025 British Open Purse & Prize Money: How Much Did Scottie Scheffler and the Field Take Home From the $17 Million Pool?
By USA NEWS TODAY| July 20, 2025 | Golf News | The Open Championship
Scottie Scheffler added another jewel to his already glittering crown on Sunday at Royal Portrush, winning the 2025 British Open and cementing his dominance as the world’s No. 1 golfer. But aside from the Claret Jug and historic bragging rights, there was another major incentive up for grabs: a record-setting $17 million prize pool.
đź’° Breaking Down the 2025 British Open Payouts
For the second consecutive year, The Open Championship raised its total purse — now matching the richest major payouts on the PGA Tour. The winner’s share alone? A cool $3 million, the largest first-place prize in Open history.
Here's a look at how the prize money was distributed among the top players:
| Position | Player | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Scottie Scheffler | $3,000,000 |
| 2nd | Viktor Hovland | $1,750,000 |
| T-3 | Rory McIlroy, Chris Gotterup | $1,200,000 each |
| 5th | Shane Lowry | $850,000 |
| 6th | Xander Schauffele | $700,000 |
| T-7 | Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick | $600,000 each |
| Top 10 | All earned at least | $500,000+ |
Full breakdowns for all 70+ players are available via R&A’s official leaderboard site.
🏆 Scheffler’s Major Year Just Got Richer
With this win, Scheffler now has three major titles in 2025 alone (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open), bringing his season earnings well past $26 million, not including sponsor bonuses and FedEx Cup points. This British Open win marks his 10th career PGA Tour title.
“The money is nice, but this win means something deeper,” Scheffler said after hoisting the Claret Jug. “This is the kind of championship that defines careers.”
đź’¸ The Evolution of Major Purses
- 2021 Open Champion: Collin Morikawa took home $2.07 million from an $11.5 million purse.
- 2023: Brian Harman’s win earned him $3 million from a $16.5 million pool.
- 2025: The R&A’s new $17 million total brings it in line with the Masters and U.S. Open, both of which also sit around the $20M mark.
This trend reflects the global explosion of golf’s financial stakes — especially in the post-LIV era, where prize money arms races have redefined what’s on the line on Sunday afternoons.
🔍 What This Means for the Tour
With the FedEx Cup Playoffs on the horizon and Ryder Cup spots at stake, The Open payouts carry more than financial impact — they shape legacies and team rosters.
For example:
- Chris Gotterup’s T-3 finish may secure his PGA Tour status through 2027.
- Viktor Hovland jumps into the top five in FedEx Cup standings.
- Rory McIlroy, despite another close call, remains in elite form heading into Bethpage.
✍️ Final Thought:
The 2025 British Open proved once again that golf’s oldest major is more than just tradition and tartan. With $17 million in play and Scottie Scheffler leading a new era of dominance, the modern Open blends history, competition, and massive paydays in equal measure.
