Jackpot of 750,000 pounds for British Open champion

LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) World number one Tiger Woods will receive a first prize of 750,000 pounds (1.51 million dollars) if he retains his British Open title at Carnoustie later this month, an increase of 30,000 pounds on Hoylake last year.

Total prize money has gone up 200,000 pounds to 4.2 million pounds, the Royal &Ancient (R&A) organisers said on the Open's official Web site (www.opengolf.com) yesterday.

''Equating to 8.4 million dollars, this increased prize money reflects our goal of maintaining the position of the Open at the forefront of world golf,'' said R&A chief executive Peter Dawson.

Britain's Paul Lawrie, who won the coveted Claret Jug when the third major of the year was last played at the Scottish course in 1999, picked up a cheque for 350,000 pounds from a total prize fund of 2 million dollars.

American Tom Watson earned 7,500 pounds when he defeated Australia's Jack Newton in a playoff in the 1975 edition at Carnoustie.

Local final qualifying (LFQ) for the British Open takes place at Downfield, Monifieth, Montrose and Panmure on July 9-10.

The field for each LFQ will be 96 players, with the top three at every venue qualifying for the first round at Carnoustie on July 19.

REUTERS BJR RN0907