The Open Champion Prize Fund Increases for the Second Year in a Row

The R&A has announced the prize fund will increase to £5 million, with the 2011 Open Champion receiving a cheque for £900,000.

The Open Championship, played since 1860, golf’s oldest Major, takes place on Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th July 2011 returning to Royal St. Georges for the 14th time.

The Open is the Major everyone wants to win, with qualifying events on every continent. The Claret Jug, or, The Golf Champion Trophy, is presented to each year’s winner of The Open Championship, which is followed by millions of fans worldwide.

The prize fund has been increased by over 5%, from last year’s £850,000. The total prize fund remained at £4.2 million for 2007, 2008 and 2009, before being increased to £4.8 million for the 150th Anniversary Open, last year.

Organised by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of £100 million to its host region.

"Each year the R&A strives to ensure the Open provides the very best in all areas of the event," chief executive Peter Dawson said in a news release. "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."



2011 OPEN PRIZE MONEY

1st - £900,000
2nd - £520,000
3rd - £335,000
4th - £260,000
5th - £210,000
6th - £180,000
7th - £155,000
8th - £130,000
9th - £115,000
10th - £104,000

Rory Glory US Open Annihilation

The World witnessed the 22 year old Irishman Rory McIlroy become the youngest US Open champion since Bobby Jones in 1923, winning with a record breaking score of 268, 16 under par.

McIlroy managed to take the lead over a collection of the world's best; YE Yang, Lee Westwood, Sergio García, and Jason Day.

Eight shots ahead overnight, he immediately extended that with a birdie at the 1st. At the 10th – a par-three requiring the players to hit their tee shots over a vast expanse of water to the green – he hit a six-iron to three inches. He did not miss the putt. It was obvious we were watching something very special.

The Northern Irishman dropped a shot at the 12th hole but by then he was able to relax – smiling and waving to the crowds, finally achieving what everyone knew he was capable of.

Won by a margin of eight shots, Rory McIlroy, followed the disappointment of his Augusta Masters collapse two months ago with a show that will go down in history alongside that of Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000.

When the final putt dropped he fell into the arms of his father, Gerry.

"Rory is going to have a great career , there is no question about that. He has got all the components,'' said Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion.

Nicklaus is not alone, McIlroy’s appeal is global; the American crowds chanted his name in Washington over the last holes.

McIlroy has also risen to fourth in the world rankings with Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer sat above.

When the world's best assemble for the next major, the Open at Royal St Georges, Sandwich in mid-July, it will be McIlroy who will be the main attraction.