In 1979 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 1979 average rate of $2.12 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.
Seve Ballesteros finished -1 and took 10% of the purse. That $31,836 is worth about $145,743 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1979 Open Championship purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1979 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 | Seve Ballesteros | -1 | $33,572 | $31,836 -5% £15,000 |
| T2 | Ben Crenshaw | +2 | $19,639 | $23,877 £11,250 |
| T2 | Jack Nicklaus | +2 | $19,639 | $23,877 £11,250 |
| 4 | Mark James | +3 | $15,918 £7,500 | |
| 5 | Rodger Davis | +4 | $13,796 £6,500 | |
| 6 | Hale Irwin | +5 | $13,429 | $12,734 -5% £6,000 |
| T7 | Graham Marsh | +7 | $10,574 | $10,612 £5,000 |
| T7 | Isao Aoki | +7 | $10,574 | $10,612 £5,000 |
| T7 | Bob Byman | +7 | $10,574 | $10,612 £5,000 |
| T10 | Bob Charles | +8 | $8,490 £4,000 | |
| T10 | Masashi Ozaki | +8 | $8,490 £4,000 | |
| T10 | Greg Norman | +8 | $8,490 £4,000 |
The Open Championship winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1979 Open Championship payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1979 Open Championship get?
Seve Ballesteros won $31,836 from a $328,972 purse.
What was the 1979 Open Championship purse?
$328,972.