​SOUTHPORT, England — The reward for winning the British Open just got a little more … rewardier. On Tuesday the R&A announced that this year’s “champion golfer of the year” will receive $3.2 million from an overall prize money payout at Royal Birkdale of $17.5 million. That’s a bump of $100,000 and a $500,000, respectively, from 2025 at Royal Portrush.The increase came a day ahead of the traditional Wednesday press conference from R&A chief executive Mark Darbon. A year ago in his first formal presser since taking over the reins of the governing body, Darbon noted a concern about the rising purses in major championships. For the R&A in particular, Darbon explained that the money offered to players comes at the expense of other programs that it funds, impacting the R&A’s mission of growing the came at a grassroots level.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite Darbon’s lament, the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open each increased their prize money payouts in 2026. Here’s where their paydays are right now:Masters: $22.5 million/$4.5 million PGA: $20.5 million/$3.69 million U.S. Open: $22.5 million/$4.5 millionMind you, claiming the moniker “champion golfer of the year” and having possession of the claret jug might be worth even more in the long run than the payday the winner will claim.Its public fiscal caution aside, the R&A has followed the trend of others with steady increases in its prize money payouts over the last few decades. Here’s how much the winners at Royal Birkdale over earned over time, in part mirroring the overall rise.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYear, Overall Purse, Winner’s Share 1954: £3,500, £750/$1,000 (Peter Thomson) 1961: £8,500, £1,150/$1,538 (Arnold Palmer) 1965: £10,000, £1,750/$2,340 (Peter Thomson) 1971: £45,000, £5,500/$7,356 (Lee Trevino) 1976: £75,000, £7,500/$10K (Johnny Miller) 1983: £310,000, £40,000/$53.5K (Tom Watson) 1991: £900,000, £90,000/$120K (Ian Baker-Finch) 1998: £1.8 million, £300,000/$401K (Mark O’Meara 2008: £4.2 million, £750,000/$1M (Padraig Harrington) 2017: $10.25 million, $1.845 million (Jordan Spieth) *Dollars before 2017 figured using exchange rate of $1 equal to £0.75. The R&A began paying prize money in American dollars in 2017.Here’s the prize money payouts for everybody who will play 72 holes this week. Come back shortly after the championship ends and we’ll update this list with names and individual prize money payouts.More From Golf Digest British Open 2026 British Open 2026: Reigning champ Scottie Scheffler gets deep (and just a little morbid) at Birkdale The Open British Open 2026: Matt Fitzpatrick joins growing chorus of players concerned about gambling British Open British Open 2026: It appears we’re in for a firm, fast, old-school Open at Royal Birkdale AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWin: $3,200,0002: $1,842,0003: $1,181,0004: $917,0005: $738,0006: $639,7007: $549,7008: