The Open 2015 prize money: How much does the winner earn and how does it compare to other tournaments?

What happens if amateur Paul Dunne wins at St Andrews?

A view of The Open on the second day (GETTY IMAGES)

Someone in St Andrews will be £1.15m better off by the end of the day with that being the prize money for the winner of The Open.

In total there is £6.3m on offer to the players competing on the Old Course this weekend.

However, should Paul Dunne become the first amateur to win the tournament for 85 years the maximum he will receive is £500. R&A rules state that amateur golfers must not accept a prize in excess of that figure, other than "symbolic prizes", such as a replica of the famous Claret Jug trophy.

If he wins, the first prize will go to the runner-up.

The player in second is in line for £653,000 whilst third will land the player £420,000.

This is the first time in the history of the tournament that the winner will receive in excess of £1m, with last year's victory Rory McIlroy pocketing £975,000.

The prize fund brings The Open into line with the other three majors, with the Masters, US Open and USPGA all awarding £1.15m to the victor.

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