Prize money in the British Open championship, which reached £1 million for the first time only six years ago, is being increased to £1.85 million for the return of the event to Carnoustie on July 15th-18th.

In 1975, when Tom Watson won the first of his five Opens over the course widely regarded as the toughest in Britain, he earned £7,500 from a total prize fund of £75,000.

This year's champion will walk away with £320,000, up £20,000 on the cheque Mark O'Meara received at Birkdale last summer.

Carnoustie has been off the championship rota since Watson's play-off victory over Australian Jack Newton because it was decided that the event had outgrown the venue.

But a new hotel overlooking the 18th green is shortly to open and the Royal and Ancient feel the area - just east of Dundee - can again handle crowds likely to be double the 85,000 who attended 24 years ago.