Purse up for this year’s British Open
Angus, Scotland - The Royal & Ancient Golf Club announced on Tuesday that this year’s purse for the British Open Championship will be near the $8.4 million mark.
‘Equating to U.S. $8.4 million, this increased prize money reflects our goal of maintaining the position of The Open Championship at the forefront of world golf,’ said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.
The first-place check will be for slightly over $1.5 million.
The British Open Championship begins July 19, 2007. Tiger Woods has won the last two claret jugs as the season’s third major returns to Carnoustie, the site of the 1999 event.
That year, Jean van de Velde famously squandered a three-shot lead on the last hole. He and Justin Leonard then lost a playoff to Paul Lawrie, the last European to win a major championship.
The trio tied at six-over-par 290 and the 1999 open is considered one of the most difficult major championships in recent memory.
© 2007 The Sports Network