British Open 2024: Head of R&A expresses worry about pro golf’s money increases

TROON, Scotland — Purse announcements are usually devoid of commentary, the releases stating the earnings up for grabs at that week’s tournament along with some canned statement from a tournament official.

So it was a bit of surprise to see fiery remarks from departing R&A CEO Martin Slumbers in the missive about the money on the line for the 152nd Open Championship.

“We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future,” Slumbers said on Monday.

“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. We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”
Slumbers was nodding to the backdrop of professional golf’s civil war, one that has padded the bank accounts of many but shrouded the game in a stigma of self-preservation and greed. Look no further than the financials of the Open: more than $3 million is tabbed for this week’s winner and a total of $18 million for the field, yet the Open isn’t even among the top 25 highest paying events in the sport.

Speaking to the media Wednesday at Royal Troon, Slumbers reiterated his worry about the ramifications of excess at the top can have on the rest of the sport.

“While we will always offer a very competitive prize fund for the Open, our wider focus is on increasing participation and improving pathways in golf,” Slumbers said. “We have to make choices about how we allocate resources and make the resources we have go as far as they can.

“It takes financial resources to deliver projects of this kind, and we have to find ways to do more of this if we’re to accelerate and maintain the upward trajectory of golf’s participation curve. But perhaps the most important component of all to golf’s future success is staying true to its values. What sets golf apart from other sports is its ability to maintain a unique value set. It’s a value set defined by integrity, personal accountability and respect. These are precisely the values that sponsors want their products or services to be associated with and that are fundamental to golf’s appeal. These values are golf’s secret weapon and we cannot afford to let them be diminished.”

Slumbers said the key is to achieve a natural balance, and that he doesn’t see the increases continuing. He also dismissed the idea that he’s only speaking freely because he’s leaving at the end of the year. “It’s not just because it’s my last press conference, but I’ve decided this year to say what I really think about ensuring that we do not lose sight of that overall pyramid and the importance of the bottom and the top and helping it all grow because without one or the other, it won’t,” Slumbers explained. As for why Slumbers is saying his peace now, the R&A head replied that he cared deeply about getting more people involved in the sport and that the professional money could impede that ambition. Even if his fellow golf leaders don’t share the same sentiment.

“I’m not worried about it being a lone voice. Sometimes leadership is lonely,” Slumbers said. “But I do think it’s important that we do say our voice, and I think there’s more people who are hearing than not hearing.”

Earlier this year Slumbers announced he will be stepping down after nine years in his role. Mark Darbon, a CEO of a Premiership Rugby club, will take his place.

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Is it the British Open or the Open Championship? The name of the final men’s major of the golf season is a subject of continued discussion. The event’s official name, as explained in this op-ed by former R&A chairman Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship. But since many United States golf fans continue to refer to it as the British Open, and search news around the event accordingly, Golf Digest continues to utilize both names in its coverage.

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