This year’s Open Championship will be the richest in history.

The R & A has announced a rise to in the prize fund to £5m, with the 2011 Open Champion receiving a £900,000 prize cheque.

Royal St. Georges to host richest Open Championship in history. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

That’s an  increase of 5% from last year’s figure of £850,000.

The total prize fund had remained at £4.2 million for 2007, 2008 and 2009, before being increased to £4.8 million for the 150th Anniversary Open, last year.

“Each year The R&A strives to ensure that The Open provides the very best in all areas of the event,” said Chief Executive, Peter Dawson in a release from the R & A.

“From spectator and media facilities, to player experience and performance reward, every aspect of The Open is under regular review to ensure it remains at the forefront of championship golf.”

However with less than a month to go before this year’s staging of The Open, it’s believed the R & A is concerned at the lack of rough at Royal St. George’s.

A hot England spring has seen little growth on the course in Kent and with players heading to a championship venue that looks set to be rock hard with very fast greens.