The prizefund for this year’s AIG Women’s British Open has been raised by more than a third to $4,500,000 (£3.6 million) with the long-term aim to achieve parity with the men’s Open Championship, the R&A announced yesterday.
The increase of $1.25 million – with the winner’s share rising to $675,000 (£540,000) – is the largest raise for the championship in nearly two decades. The prizefund was just $1.5 million as recently as 2001.
It means the WBO will rank second in the women’s game behind the $5.5 million Women’s US Open, and comes as the R&A seek to invest more in women’s golf both professional and amateur.
This year’s WBO, defended by England’s Georgia Hall, will be staged at the Marquess’ Course at Woburn in Bedfordshire from August 1-4. It will be sponsored by finance and insurance group AIG for the first of a five-year deal.
The total prizefund is still lower than half of the recently announced $10.75 million for the men’s Open Championship – being played next week at Royal Portrush – but the R&A are intent on closing that gap, according to chief executive Martin Slumbers.
“We recognised that more needed to be done to elevate the prize fund for this great championship and are pleased that we have been able to make a significant increase this year as part of The R&A’s commitment to women’s golf,” he said.
“This is an important first step and we know it will take time to move closer to achieving parity with the men’s game.
“We will continue to work toward the long-term goal of a sustainable business model but we can’t do it alone and the support of fans, sponsors and media are all keys to achieving that success.”
The championship was founded by the Ladies Golf Union in 1976 and gained major status in the women’s game in 2001. The championship was taken over by the R&A after their merger with the LGU in January 2017.
The Women’s British Open has been staged in Scotland in four of the last nine years, at Kingbarns Golf Links (2017), Turnberry (2015), the Old Course, St Andrews (2013) and Carnoustie (2011).
