Since the 2022 season and the commencement of the Saudi-backed league, the game of golf has seen a steep increase in men’s events across the board. Initially, the PGA Tour responded by increasing the prize purses for its events, with the PLAYERS Championship offering a lucrative $25 million, while the eight signature events had $20 million at stake.

This was to fend off the threat posed by LIV Golf, whose individual events offered $20 million for the 54 players, plus another $5 million for team events. Similarly, the major events followed suit and increased their total prize purses for the 2024 season. Among all the major events, the Open Championship boosted its total prize purse by $500,000, reaching a record $17 million, from which the winner will get $3.1 million.

Comparatively, the U.S. Open has the largest purse of all the major events, increasing it to $21.5 million, from which Bryson DeChambeau bagged $4.3 million. The Augusta National Golf Club, increased the prize money of the 88th Masters by $2 million, bringing it to $20 million. Meanwhile, the PGA of America elevated the PGA Championship by $1 million, from $17.5 million in 2023 to $18.5 million at the 106th PGA Championship.

Following the trend, the major events might exponentially increase their prize purses next year as well. The purses are seen as a way to encourage golfers to perform better and enhance the men’s golfing scene. However, the focus on increasing prize purses alone has raised concerns for outgoing R&A CEO Martin Slumber, who has issued a plea to the golf world.

After increasing the Open’s purse, Slumber issues ‘concerned’ plea

Unlike the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which have thrived on increased event purses, the R&A has clarified that this approach might not be the best way to grow golf globally. While R&A chief executive Martin Slumber praised the increased purses and called them “encouraging figures,” he also warned that golf organizations should maintain balance and momentum.

Additionally, Slumber, who will be stepping down from his CEO post in November, explained that boosting prize money at the top of the golf pyramid alone will not strengthen the game. The base must also be made equally strong. Slumber further said, “We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability,” the Guardian reported.

Whether other organizations follow the R&A chief’s plea remains to be seen, but the R&A itself has clarified that it will not increase purses as exponentially as others in the golf world. As the R&A has been a key player in growing golf globally, Slumber asserted that they will “strike a balance” between the amateur and international levels and fund the events as they deem fit.

It appears that the R&A will likely not increase the prize purse in the 2025 season, and other major events may follow a similar path.