Open prize fund increases

Prize pot increased: The Champion Golfer of 2011 this year will pocket £900k

Winner to pocket cheque for £900k, total prize pot now £5m

Major championship golf appears to be untroubled by the global recession as the R&A announced that the prize money will be increased for the 2011 Open Championship.

For this year’s event at Royal St George’s, the prize fund will rise to £5 million (from £4.9m in 2010), with the champion golfer receiving £900,000.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said that the prize fund illustrated that the pedigree of the event.

“Each year The R&A strives to ensure that The Open provides the very best in all areas of the event,” said chief executive, Peter Dawson. “From spectator and media facilities, to player experience and performance reward, every aspect of The Open is under regular review to ensure it remains at the forefront of championship golf.”

There is less than one week remaining in which to purchase Open Championship tickets at advance-purchase prices. Until the end of June, daily tickets for the 2011 Championship at Royal St George’s are available for £55, while season tickets, permitting entry on all eight days, cost £220.

For just £110, a family of five can enjoy a day at golf’s oldest Major, by taking advantage of The R&A’s established ticketing policy, which grants free access to any juvenile, aged 16 or under, who is accompanied by a paying adult.

Those travelling from the capital on championship days can also take advantage of Southeastern’s ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotion, which allows accompanied five to 15-year-olds to travel to the venue for just £1.

With international marquee tickets sold out for the four championship days, limited numbers of Wednesday tickets are still available. Hospitality can also still be purchased, with Open Championship Official Hospitality fine-dining packages remaining on sale for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Half-price entry to The Senior Open Championship, which is being held the following week at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey, will be granted on production of a valid Open Championship admission ticket.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor