In 1961 The Open Championship didn’t count as official PGA Tour money, so this prize money isn’t part of anyone’s official PGA Tour total for the season.
The Open paid its prize money in pounds. Amounts are shown in US dollars, converted at the 1961 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.
Arnold Palmer finished -4 and took 16% of the purse. That $3,920 is worth about $43,570 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1961 Open Championship purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1961 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 | Arnold Palmer | -4 | $3,500 | $3,920 +12% £1,400 |
| 2 | Dai Rees | -3 | $2,520 | $2,800 +11% £1,000 |
| T3 | Neil Coles | E | $1,492 | $1,988 £710 |
| T3 | Christy O'Connor Snr | E | $1,492 | $1,988 £710 |
| T5 | Eric Brown | +1 | $1,120 £400 | |
| T5 | Kel Nagle | +1 | $1,120 £400 | |
| 7 | Peter Thomson | +2 | $840 | $770 -8% £275 |
| T8 | Peter Alliss | +3 | $532 £190 | |
| T8 | Ken Bousfield | +3 | $532 £190 | |
| T10 | Harold Henning | +5 | $392 £140 | |
| T10 | Syd Scott | +5 | $392 £140 |
The Open Championship winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1961 Open Championship payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1961 Open Championship get?
Arnold Palmer won $3,920 from a $23,800 purse.
What was the 1961 Open Championship purse?
$23,800.