British Open 2015 prize money: Amateur leader Paul Dunne ineligible for record £1.15m paycheque
Paul Dunne, the Irish 22-year-old amateur golfer, has already made history at this year's Open yet will walk away from the tournament empty-handed even if he can stay in the lead this afternoon.
Read more: How much prize money is on offer at St Andrews?
Dunne is the first amateur to lead the Open after three days since American Bobby Jones in 1927 and could become the first to win the trophy since Jones in 1930.
And the Irishman will have to make do with etching his name into the record books since he won't see a penny of the record £1.15m prize money on offer to the winner at St Andrews, even if he does hold off a chasing pack which includes pre-tournament favourite Jordan Spieth just one shot behind.
The business and finance graduate's amateur status makes him ineligible for the prize money reserved for professionals.
R&A rules state:
The first thing to note is that an amateur golfer must not play golf for prize money (Rule 3-1). That applies regardless of whether the prize money is £5, £500 or £5000……Many amateurs, particularly the top amateurs, compete in professional events where cash prizes are on offer and gain invaluable experience from doing so. That participation is fine, provided in advance of the competition, in writing, the amateur waives the right to accept any prize money in the event.
However, Dunne would still be able to lay claim to the Claret Jug as a "symbolic prize".