In 1965 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 1965 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 -7 and took 18% of the purse. That $4,900 is worth about $51,669 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1965 Open Championship purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1965 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 | -7 | $4,200 | $4,900 +17% £1,750 |
| T2 | Brian Huggett | -5 | $2,800 | $3,150 £1,125 |
| T2 | Christy O'Connor Snr | -5 | $2,800 | $3,150 £1,125 |
| 4 | Roberto De Vicenzo | -4 | $1,820 | $2,100 +15% £750 |
| T5 | Bernard Hunt | -3 | $1,400 | $1,330 £475 |
| T5 | Tony Lema | -3 | $1,400 | $1,330 £475 |
| T5 | Kel Nagle | -3 | $1,400 | $1,330 £475 |
| T8 | Bruce Devlin | -2 | $512 | $770 £275 |
| T8 | Sebastián Miguel | -2 | $512 | $770 £275 |
| T10 | Max Faulkner | +1 | $518 £185 | |
| T10 | John Panton | +1 | $518 £185 |
The Open Championship winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1965 Open Championship payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1965 Open Championship get?
Peter Thomson won $4,900 from a $28,000 purse.
What was the 1965 Open Championship purse?
$28,000.