5 Perks Of Winning The Open - What Brian Harman Gets

Sam Tremlett
·2 min read
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Brian Harman of the United States kisses the Claret Jug whilst celebrating winning the The Open on the 18th green on Day Four of The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Brian Harman of the United States kisses the Claret Jug whilst celebrating winning the The Open on the 18th green on Day Four of The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club

As the Champion Golfer of the Year, Brian Harman's name is etched into the history books but there are plenty more benefits to winning The Open as well.

In this day and age, winners of any pro events, but especially Majors, walk away with no shortage of exemptions and prize money. So without further ado, we list some of the perks that Harman will receive after his stunning win at Royal Liverpool.

Video: Perks Of Winning The Open

1. Claret Jug

Claret Jug trophy pictured
Claret Jug trophy pictured

First thing to mention is undoubtedly the prestige of winning the oldest Major Championship in golf. That in itself, and the name being etched into history, is a perk.

Adding to that the winner also receives arguably the best trophy in golf too in the Claret Jug, which was first awarded in 1873. The winner gets to keep it for an entire year. Once the champion returns the original trophy at the following year's championship they are given a replica to keep.

2. Gold Medal

Tony Jacklin with the Claret Jug and Gold Medal in 1969
Tony Jacklin with the Claret Jug and Gold Medal in 1969

The Open originally gave a Challenge Belt to its winner, but this was permanently given to Young Tom Morris after he won three consecutive tournaments.

It was replaced by the Gold Medal from 1872, which winners still receive.

3. Prize Money

This year's Champion Golfer of the Year will win the largest first prize in the tournament's history after The Open prize money was raised to a record $16.5m.

The winner will take home a huge $3m.

4. Exemptions

The Open winner is guaranteed entry to all future Open Championships until the age of 60, and entry to the next ten Opens, even if over the age of 60.

They also gain five year exemptions to The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open, and they also earn membership to both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour for five years.

Victory also comes with a place in the next five editions of the The Players Championship and the five invitational tournaments (Genesis Invitational, Fort Worth Invitational (now the Charles Schwab Challenge), Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, and Memorial Tournament) on the PGA Tour.

Lifting the Claret Jug also ensure an automatic invitation to three of the five senior Majors once the winner turns 50, with a one-year invitation to the US Senior Open and a lifetime invitation to the Senior PGA Championship and Senior Open Championship.

5. Ranking points

And for the man who conquers Royal Liverpool comes a very nice haul of World Ranking and FedEx Cup points.

All Major championships offer up 100 OWGR points to the winner, as well as 600 FedEx Cup points in the season-long race.