2026 British Open payouts: The Open offering a record purse, but still the lowest among the majors, at Royal Birkdale

The British Open is putting up a record amount of money this week at Royal Birkdale.

The pot, however, is still significantly lower than the other three major championships. 

The R&A announced on Tuesday that it was offering a record $17.75 million purse for this week's major championship in England. That's up $500,000 from last year, and now officially the largest pot that The Open has ever had. 

Whoever claims the Claret Jug on Sunday will also earn a $3.2 million check, which is up $100,000 from 2025. 

While that's a record for the British Open, it is by far the lowest among the four major championships. Both the U.S. Open and the Masters had $22.5 million purses this season, which are the largest in men's major championship history. The PGA Championship surpassed the $20 million mark with its $20.5 million purse this season, too. 

The PGA Tour's signature events typically offer $20 million purses throughout the season, and The Players Championship tops the list at $25 million.

Even though the British Open still has a ways to go to catch up to its three counterparts in the United States, it has made massive strides since the last time the event was held at Royal Birkdale. Back in 2017, when Jordan Spieth lifted the Claret Jug, the R&A offered a $10.25 million purse. Spieth claimed $1.845 million for his win.

The British Open will officially kick off on Thursday morning. Here's a look at the full breakdown for golfers this week just north of Liverpool.

2026 British Open payouts

1. $3.2 million
2. $1.842 million
3. $1.181 million
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

The first 10 and ties who miss the cut will earn $12,900 each. The next 20 golfers and ties will earn $10,750. Everyone else will earn $9,100. 

If more than 70 golfers make the cut, prize money will decrease by $125 per place to a minimum of $39,450.