AIG Women's Open Prize Pot Increased to $10m as Women's Golf Continues Historic Growth

The AIG Women's Open will offer a record $10 million prize pot this year, representing the largest in women's golf history and a significant milestone for the sport. The announcement, made by the R&A on Tuesday, confirms the continued rapid growth of prize money in women's golf.

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The winner of this year's tournament at Royal Porthcawl in Wales will receive $1.8 million, a substantial increase from last year's $7 million total purse. The 2026 edition marks a remarkable 43% increase from 2025 and nearly doubles the $5.3 million on offer just three years ago.

"This investment reflects our commitment to accelerating progress in women's golf," said R&A chief executive. "We want the AIG Women's Open to be the premier event in the women's game, and that means providing prize money that matches the exceptional talent on display."

The increase places the AIG Women's Open firmly among the richest events in women's sport. When combined with the elevated purses at the U.S. Women's Open and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, top female golfers can now earn more than $5 million in a single season from major championships alone.

World number one Lilia Vu welcomed the announcement: "Every increase in prize money validates the work we do and the sacrifices we make. This shows young girls what's possible and demonstrates that women's golf is a serious, professional career worth pursuing."

The 2026 AIG Women's Open tees off on July 30, with defending champion Yuka Inami among the early entries confirmed. The Japanese star won last year's edition by three strokes at Royal Birkdale, claiming the first major of her career and a winner's cheque of $1.35 million.

R&A officials confirmed that the increased prize fund is part of a five-year plan to elevate the tournament to parity with the game's biggest events, with further increases expected through 2030.