Open Championship prize fund unchanged

The R&A has announced that the prize fund for the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, which starts next week, will remain unchanged at £4.2 million.

Last year’s winner Padraig Harrington, who will be bidding for a third straight Open victory, received £750,000 for his Royal Birkdale triumph – the same amount up for grabs for the victor this year.

Those in the 156-man field will all receive a payment, regardless of whether they make the final 36 holes over the weekend, as was the case in 2008. The leading 65 players will be guaranteed a payday of at least £10,000, with last place still collecting £2100.

The runner-up will earn £450,000 and the third player £290,000, with the first nine in the field receiving a minimum of £100,000.

Meanwhile, Martin Kaymer’s victory at the Open de France propelled the German up to fifth in the Race to Dubai Rankings thanks to the €666,660 winnings that he received for overcoming Lee Westwood in a play-off.

The Open de France was the start of a huge three weeks for the Race to Dubai with big prize money guaranteed to shake things up in the official Rankings. Next up is the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond with a prize fund of €3m up for grabs.

Where next?

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