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British Open prize money soars, champion to win $1.8 million

June 24, 2015
Rory McIlroy will defend his British Open title in 2015. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy will defend his British Open title in 2015 at St. Andrews golf course. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — The British Open champion at St. Andrews next month will win $1.8 million, an increase of $275,000 from 2014.

The Royal & Ancient Club of St. Andrews (R&A) announced on Wednesday that overall prize money for the third major of the year has soared by $1.42 million to almost $10 million.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson says “this increase is appropriate for an event with The Open’s global appeal.”

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is the defending champion and world No. 2 Jordan Spieth looks to complete the third leg of the grand slam after winning both the Masters and U.S. Open.

The British Open starts on July 16.