Organisers of the British Open, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, on Wednesday announced an increase in the competition’s prize money to $1.8 million, a $275, 000 leap from last year.

This means that apart from the famed Claret Jug, players will get money financial reward when the event tees off next month.

Nigeria’s Andrew Oche Odoh, Akinwande Oladapo, Monday Eze and Ifeanyi Chukwu, entered the qualifying series for the competition, but none of them could qualify for the main event.

While Odoh, who was Nigeria’s best player at the qualifiers at the Sandy Lodge Golf Course North West of London, finished at Par 5, Ifeanyi Chukwu ended at Par 12, while Akinwande Oladapo and Monday Eze withdrew from the qualifiers.

Players in the qualifiers vied for seven places available in to final qualifying from this venue.

The qualifying series has moved to the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands with four places in the 144th Open on offer.

It will be the first time that the Travelers Championship has been part of the Series, which sees players on the world’s leading Tours bidding to qualify for The Open Championship.

The leading four players, who are not already exempt, that finish in the top 12 and ties this week in Connecticut will take their place at the home of golf.

The Open Qualifying Series continues next week on the PGA TOUR at the Greenbrier Classic and on the European Tour at the Alstom Open de France.

Speaking on the increased prize money on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, said, “The Open is one of the world’s pre-eminent sporting events,” adding that the increase is “appropriate for an event with The Open’s global appeal.”

The tournament’s overall purse will rise to $9.9 million, up from about $8.5 million in 2014.

Rory McIlroy will seek to defend his title when the 144th Open begins at St. Andrews on July 16.