The image is timeless: a triumphant golfer, battered by four days of wind and rain on a rugged links course, hoists a silver trophy over their head. When you think of a victory at The Open Championship, the iconic Claret Jug is the first thing that comes to mind. But what is awarded to the winner of the British Open is so much more than one piece of silverware. This article breaks down every prize, perk, and legendary honor bestowed upon the Champion Golfer of the Year.
First and foremost, the champion gets their hands on what is arguably the most recognizable trophy in sports: The Claret Jug. Its proper name is The Golf Champion Trophy, but it has been universally known by its modern nickname for over a century due to its resemblance to the silver jugs used to serve claret, a type of red wine from Bordeaux, in 19th-century gentlemen's clubs.
Interestingly, it wasn't the original prize. From 1860 to 1870, the winner received the "Challenge Belt," made of red Moroccan leather and silver buckles. However, the rules stipulated that anyone who won the The Open Championship three times consecutively could keep the belt permanently. When Young Tom Morris accomplished this feat in 1870, the tournament was left without a prize. In fact, The Open wasn't even held in 1871 for this very reason!
When the tournament resumed in 1872, the Claret Jug was commissioned. The winner that year (Young Tom Morris again) received a gold medal as the jug wasn't ready in time, but his name was the first one engraved on its base. Tom Kidd was the first champion to actually be presented with the Claret Jug after his victory in 1873.
Here’s something many fans don't realize: the champion doesn’t get to keep the original trophy. The Claret Jug you see presented on the 18th green is the original from 1872. After the ceremony and media obligations, the winner must hand it back to The R&A, the governing body of golf outside the US and Mexico, who keep it safe in their headquarters in St Andrews, Scotland.
So what does the winner take home? A full-sized, perfect replica that they are allowed to keep for one year. At the following year's Open, they must return their replica before a new champion is crowned. However, they are permitted to commission smaller replicas at their own expense to keep forever.
Having possession of the Claret Jug for a year has led to some legendary stories. After his win, Phil Mickelson famously had a $40,000 bottle of wine shared with his friends directly from the Jug. Padraig Harrington, a two-time champion, filled his with everything imaginable and was renowned for letting anyone who wanted to take a picture with it - and even a sip - from firemen to everyday golf fans. It’s a tradition that truly connects the winner and their community to the history of the game.
Beyond any physical object, a victory at The Open confers a title steeped in respect and tradition: The Champion Golfer of the Year.
This is not just a fancy way of saying "winner." As the official Ivor Robson used to announce on the 18th green before his retirement, and as the officials do today, the winner is formally crowned with this title. It signifies more than just winning a golf tournament, it declares that you are the best golfer on the planet at tackling the oldest and purest form of the game - links golf.
This title connects the current champion to a lineage of legends - Old Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Tiger Woods. They weren’t just winners, they were all, at one time, the Champion Golfer of the Year. It's a moniker that carries a special weight in the golf world, an honor spoken with a sense of reverence because it is earned on the sport’s most historic stage.
While the Claret Jug commands the spotlight, every champion also receives a Gold Medal. This often-overlooked prize is an incredibly important piece of the winner's haul because, unlike the Claret Jug, the champion keeps it forever.
Its history is directly tied to the creation of the Claret Jug. As mentioned, when Young Tom Morris won in 1872, the Claret Jug was still being crafted. To honor his victory, the organizing committee awarded him a Gold Medal. Since then, it has been awarded to every champion alongside the Jug.
While the Jug is for show, shared with the world for a year before being passed on, the Gold Medal is the personal-keepsake proof of their triumph. The runner-up also receives a Silver Medal, and the leading amateur who completes 72 holes receives a Silver Medal as well. This tradition highlights the historical significance of individual achievement in a tournament that predates almost all other global sporting events.
Of course, winning the oldest major in golf also comes with a substantial financial reward. While the prestige is priceless, the prize money is life-changing.
The total prize fund for The Open has grown exponentially over the decades. For the 151st Open in 2023, the total purse was a staggering $16.5 million. The winner, Brian Harman, took home a check for $3 million. This figure will likely continue to rise, reflecting the incredible global status of the event.
To put that in perspective:
Winning The Open immediately sets up a player financially, allowing them to focus entirely on their career without the typical financial pressures faced by professional athletes.
While the trophy, title, and money are incredible rewards, arguably the most valuable prize for a professional golfer is the package of exemptions that comes with an Open victory. An exemption means you are automatically qualified to play in a tournament without having to go through grueling qualifying rounds or relying on your position on a money list. Winning The Open provides career-defining security.
The Champion Golfer of the Year is exempt from qualifying for The Open Championship until the age of 60. This is an extraordinary advantage, giving past champions a guaranteed place in the field for years, sometimes decades. It allows them to plan their schedules and gives them a chance to compete long after their peak years might have passed. Just look at champions like Tom Watson, who nearly won again at age 59 in 2009 - a feat made possible by this exemption.
Winning The Open also punches your ticket to the other three men's major championships for the next five years. The champion receives a:
This five-year window of guaranteed major starts is priceless. It removes an immense amount of pressure and allows a player to build their entire season around the four biggest events in golf.
Finally, an Open victory grants the winner a five-year membership exemption on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). This gives the player the freedom to play a full schedule on the world's two premier golf tours without having to worry about retaining their playing privileges each year. It opens doors to the biggest tournaments, like a five-year exemption into THE PLAYERS Championship, often called the "fifth major." For a player who hasn't yet secured long-term status, this is the ultimate key to a stable and lucrative career.
Winning The Open Championship is about so much more than a single payday. The victor is awarded the timeless Claret Jug for a year, the deeply personal and permanent Gold Medal, the historic title of "Champion Golfer of the Year," and a multi-million-dollar prize. Most importantly, they gain decades of job security and guaranteed entry into golf’s most hallowed events.
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