The Open paid its prize money in pounds. Amounts are shown in US dollars, converted at the 1956 average rate of $2.80 per pound, with the original amount in pounds beside each one.
Our source lists prize money for the top 11 finishers only, so the rest of the field isn't shown.
Peter Thomson finished +2 and took 27% of the purse. That $2,800 is worth about $34,222 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1956 Open Championship purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1956 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 | Peter Thomson | +2 | $2,800 | $2,800 £1,000 |
| 2 | Flory Van Donck | +5 | $1,400 | $1,400 £500 |
| 3 | Roberto De Vicenzo | +6 | $980 | $980 £350 |
| 4 | Gary Player | +7 | $560 | $560 £200 |
| 5 | John Panton | +8 | $252 | $420 +67% £150 |
| T6 | Enrique Bertolino | +9 | $244 £87 | |
| T6 | Henry Cotton | +9 | $244 £87 | |
| T8 | Antonio Cerdá | +10 | $174 £62 | |
| T8 | Mike Souchak | +10 | $174 £62 | |
| T10 | Christy O'Connor Snr | +11 | $112 | $112 £40 |
| T10 | Harry Weetman | +11 | $112 | $112 £40 |
The Open Championship winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1956 Open Championship payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1956 Open Championship get?
Peter Thomson won $2,800 from a $10,500 purse.
What was the 1956 Open Championship purse?
$10,500.