In 1985 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 1985 average rate of $1.30 per pound, with the original amount in pounds beside each one.
Our source lists prize money for the top 10 finishers only, so the rest of the field isn't shown.
Sandy Lyle finished +2 and took 12% of the purse. That $84,331 is worth about $260,474 in 2026 dollars.
How the 1985 Open Championship purse was split
Every finisher with a recorded payout, in finishing order.
1985 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 | Sandy Lyle | +2 | $73,524 | $84,331 +15% £65,000 |
| 2 | Payne Stewart | +3 | $42,644 | $55,788 +31% £43,000 |
| T3 | David Graham | +4 | $30,619 £23,600 | |
| T3 | Bernhard Langer | +4 | $30,619 £23,600 | |
| T3 | Christy O'Connor Jnr | +4 | $30,619 £23,600 | |
| T3 | Mark O'Meara | +4 | $30,619 £23,600 | |
| T3 | José Rivero | +4 | $30,619 £23,600 | |
| T8 | Anders Forsbrand | +5 | $19,116 | $20,197 £15,567 |
| T8 | Tom Kite | +5 | $19,116 | $20,197 £15,567 |
| T8 | D.A. Weibring | +5 | $19,116 | $20,197 £15,567 |
The Open Championship winner's share over time
This year is labeled. Full tournament history →
1985 Open Championship payout FAQ
How much did the winner of the 1985 Open Championship get?
Sandy Lyle won $84,331 from a $687,622 purse.
What was the 1985 Open Championship purse?
$687,622.