OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE MONEY

The winner of the 2000 Open Championship at St. Andrew's will receive £500,00 an increase of £150,000 on the cheque that accompanied the Claret Jug which Paul Lawrie won last year at Carnoustie.

This latest increase is included in the record total of £2.74 million and underlines the R&A's determination to offer prize money which reflect golf's major championship and is in line with the other three majors.

"In addition to the 43% increase for the winner, we have substantially increased all the prize money by amounts ranging from 14% to 40%", said David Hill, Championship Secretary of the R&A. "This now means that while there will be £500,000 for the winner, any player who makes the cut will receive at least £7,000."

An indication of the rapid growth in prize money is shown by what was on offer when John Daly won at St. Andrews in 1995. Then he received £125,000 out of a total £1.25 million and in the five years since then total prize money has more than doubled and the winners' cheque has increased four-fold.