The Open paid its prize money in pounds. Amounts are shown in US dollars, converted at the 1938 average rate of $4.89 per pound, with the original amount in pounds beside each one.
Our source lists prize money for the top 12 finishers only, so the rest of the field isn't shown.
Reg Whitcombe finished +15 and took 20% of the purse. That $489 is worth about $11,529 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1938 Open Championship purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1938 Open Championship prize money for every player
Final positions and prize money, with what the same untied position paid the year before.
| Pos | Player | To par | Last year | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reg Whitcombe | +15 | $494 | $489 -1% £100 |
| 2 | Jimmy Adams | +17 | $371 | $367 -1% £75 |
| 3 | Henry Cotton | +18 | $247 | $244 -1% £50 |
| T4 | Dick Burton | +23 | $148 | $112 £23 |
| T4 | Jack Busson | +23 | $148 | $112 £23 |
| T4 | Allan Dailey | +23 | $148 | $112 £23 |
| T4 | Alf Padgham | +23 | $148 | $112 £23 |
| T8 | Fred Bullock | +24 | $73 £15 | |
| T8 | Bill Cox | +24 | $73 £15 | |
| T10 | Bert Gadd | +25 | $49 | $49 £10 |
| T10 | Bobby Locke | +25 | $49 | $49 £10 |
| T10 | Charles Whitcombe | +25 | $49 | $49 £10 |
The Open Championship winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1938 Open Championship payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1938 Open Championship get?
Reg Whitcombe won $489 from a $2,445 purse.
What was the 1938 Open Championship purse?
$2,445.