 Woods left Hoylake with a cheque for �720,000 in his back pocket |
This year's Open champion will earn �750,000, an increase of �30,000 on the amount Tiger Woods won last year, the Royal and Ancient announced on Tuesday. Total prize money for the event, which starts in two weeks' time, will be �4.2m, up �200,000 on 2006.
R&A boss Peter Dawson said: "Equating to $8.4m, this increased prize money reflects our goal of maintaining the Open at the forefront of world golf."
The first prize at the Open is the most lucrative of golf's four majors.
Zach Johnson picked up �650,000 for his Masters win, Angel Cabrera earned �630,000 for winning the US Open and Woods �610,000 for last year's USPGA.
By comparison, the winners of this year's Wimbledon singles titles will receive �700,000 each. The purse on offer at Carnoustie this year is not golf's richest, though, the winner of the World Match Play at Wentworth walks away with �1m.
The average rise for the entire field of 156 players at the Scottish venue is 5% and even the player who finishes in last place will earn �2,100.
The famously tough course last staged the event in 1999 and winner Paul Lawrie's reward then was �350,000 from a total purse of �2m.
This year, world number one Woods is aiming to become the first player to win the Claret Jug three times in a row since Peter Thomson in 1956.
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