The chief executive of the R&A has warned golf must take steps to halt a potentially unsustainable rise in prize funds at elite events. Martin Slumbers’s comments came as it was revealed this year’s Open Championship at Troon will pay $3.1m (£2.38m) to the winner from a purse of $17m.
Those figures are the highest in Open history, after $16.5m was distributed at Royal Liverpool in 2023. Even professionals who miss the cut at the oldest major receive a cheque.
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Slumbers, however, is uneasy about the sport’s direction of travel. “The R&A has a responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining the Open’s position in the global game, providing the funds required for governance and developing amateur and recreational golf in 146 countries internationally,” he said.
“We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future. We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability. We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”
Several PGA Tour events now carry $20m prize funds, a move made in part to stave off the threat from the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV circuit. Golfers on the LIV tour typically play for a $4m individual first prize plus team elements.
Anecdotal evidence suggests the public have been dissuaded from watching tournaments because of perceived financial vulgarity. Players who joined LIV were, in certain cases, handed signing-on fees in excess of $100m.