R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers says he “doesn’t care” that the Open Championship prize fund is not among the top 25 in men’s professional golf.
Earlier this week, the R&A announced minimal increases to prize money for the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, amid “concern” about the impact on financial sustainability and the perception of men’s professional golf.
The winner this week will receive a record $3.1m (£2.38m) – an increase of $100,000 on last year.
By comparison, Bryson DeChambeau earned $4.3m for winning last month’s US Open, and Scottie Scheffler’s second Masters victory in April came with a $3.6m prize.
Their fellow American Xander Schauffele collected $3.3m for winning the US PGA Championship in May.
The total Open prize fund of $17m (£13.1m) is a $500,000 increase on last year but is less than the other three majors, 12 PGA Tour events and all 14 LIV Golf events.
“A) I didn’t know, and b) I don’t care,” said Slumbers, who steps down from his role in November, when told where The Open ranks in terms of prize money on offer.
“While we will always offer a very competitive prize fund for the Open, our wider focus is on increasing participation and improving pathways in golf.
“We have to make choices about how we allocate resources and make the resources we have go as far as they can. Our responsibility is to ensure the game is thriving 50 years from now.”
