This year's British Open will struggle to live up to its status as the most lucrative major in dollar terms because of the fluctuating exchange rates, organizers said on Tuesday.
At its annual news conference three months ahead of the championship, the Royal & Ancient Club, which administers golf's oldest major, gave details of the changes made to the Turnberry course since it was last played there 15 years ago. But, for the second year in a row, it was unable to give prize money details.
There have been reports that it is not likely to change much from last year's 4.2 million pounds (euro4.75 million). But because of the weakened British pound that would be just over $6 million, compared to almost $8.4 million last year in a tournament where Americans have dominated.
"The Open has been the most lucrative of all the four majors in dollar terms for some years now, but with the dollar exchange rate having swung back that's a position that is probably going to be difficult for us to maintain this year," said R&A chief executive Peter Dawson.
"We will be taking judgments about that in the weeks ahead. The Masters made no increase this year and we are aware of the pressures upon us and will make an appropriate decision.
Dawson said it cost the R&A between three and four million pounds ($4.3-5.8 million) a year to govern the sport internationally and it also now had to calculate the effects the global economic downturn was having on sponsorship.
Meanwhile, organizers announced that the Turnberry course had been lengthened by 247 yards (226 meters) since it was last played there 15 years ago.
The new layout features six new tees, including a spectacular 200-yard (182 meter) drive over the bay near the famous Lighthouse at the 10th hole.
The yardage changes for the July 16-19 championship include 135 (123 m) added to the final three holes, with the par-5 17th stretched from 498 to 559 (455 to 511 m) and the 16th changing from a 410-yard (375 m) straight hole to a 455-yard (416 m) dogleg right.
The course on the west coast of Scotland, which held the tournament in 1977, '86 and '94, now has an overall length of 7,204 yards (6,587 m) from 6,957 (6,361 m).
Tiger Woods, who has won the Open three times, plays the course for the first time. Padraig Harrington, winner at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale last year, is trying to become the first player to win the championship three years in a row since Peter Thomson in 1956.
Turnberry made its debut on the Open rota of links courses in 1977 when Tom Watson, who went on to win the Open five times, edged Jack Nicklaus in what became known as the "Duel in the Sun" over the last 36 holes. Although Nicklaus finished 65-66, Watson made 65-65 and third-place Hubert Green finished 10 shots back.
Greg Norman won his first Open title in '86, helped by a second round 63, and Nick Price won in '94 after he eagled the 17th with a 50-foot putt and overtook Jesper Parnevik.
The R&A dismissed speculation that nearby Royal Troon, which also hosts Open championships, is on standby to stage this year's tournament because of delayed renovation of the five-star Turnberry Hotel, which overlooks the links.
"We are quite satisfied that the hotel will be ready to serve as the headquarters for competitors," said David Hill, the Royal & Ancient's director of championships. "We are in constant touch with (Turnberry owners) Leisurecorp and are assured it will be ready in time."
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