Golf May 01, 2026

AIG Women's Open: R&A increases prize pot for major to $10m as Sunningdale announced as 2028 venue

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
AIG Women's Open: R&A increases prize pot for major to $10m as Sunningdale announced as 2028 venue

The R&A will increase the official prize fund for the 2026 AIG Women's Open for the sixth consecutive year, with the world's best players set to battle it out at Royal Lytham & St Annes in July for a slice of a $10m (£7.43m) pot.

Mark Darbon, the chief executive of the R&A, also revealed that the 2028 edition of the AIG Women's Open will be held at Sunningdale's Old Course, with Royal St George's set to host the 2027 event.

"We know Sunningdale will provide an outstanding venue in two years time," Darbon said.

"It will be the fifth time the championship has been held there and the first since 2008."

Officials have added an extra $250,000 (£185,651) to the purse this year following the success of the 2025 AIG Women's Open, where Miyu Yamashita claimed a two-shot victory over Charley Hull and Minami Katsu to secure her first major title.

This year will also mark the 50th anniversary of The AIG Women's Open. Jenny Lee Smith was crowned the tournament's inaugural champion in 1967, and the prize fund had stood at $673.31 (£500).

Broadcast coverage of the 2026 AIG Women's Open is also due to significantly increase, with fans able to watch 20 per cent more coverage throughout the week, which will be live on Your Site.

Early broadcast windows for rounds one and two will provide fans with a look at how the early starters are faring at Royal Lytham & St Annes, while morning marquee groups will also be shown between 9am and 1pm, while full main coverage will commence from 1pm to 7pm - every day from July 29 to August 2.

"Our broadcast coverage is fundamental to that ambition and with a with a 20% increase in live hours compared to 2025, we are setting a new benchmark for women's golf," Darbon said.

"The AIG Women's Open now delivers more linear television broadcast hours in the UK and US than any other women's golf championship, giving fans unprecedented access to the very best players in the world. This is another important step forward as we continue to invest in the Championship and grow its global audience."

Watch all four rounds of the 2026 AIG Women's Open live on Your Site this July. or .

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

LIV Golf: Donald Trump backs return of LIV Golfers to PGA Tour - 'I want to see Rory McIlroy play Bryson DeChambeau'

LIV Golf: Donald Trump backs return of LIV Golfers to PGA Tour - 'I want to see Rory McIlroy play Bryson DeChambeau'

President Donald Trump has backed the reintroduction of LIV Golf players onto the PGA Tour after the league announced the withdrawal of funding from t...

Cadillac Championship: Cameron Young claims first-round lead on PGA Tour as Jordan Spieth weighs in on LIV Golf situation

Cadillac Championship: Cameron Young claims first-round lead on PGA Tour as Jordan Spieth weighs in on LIV Golf situation

Cameron Young produced a superb opening round to take a one-shot lead at the Cadillac Championship as the stars of the PGA Tour had their say on news...

LIV Golf hires financial advisers in scramble to secure funding lifeline after Saudi Arabia pulls plug on its funding

LIV Golf hires financial advisers in scramble to secure funding lifeline after Saudi Arabia pulls plug on its funding

LIV Golf is parachuting in a heavyweight team of financial advisers to help it secure a multi-billion dollar funding lifeline after its Saudi sovereig...

LIV Golf: Saudi Arabia's PIF confirms it will end funding of rebel league at the end of the season

LIV Golf: Saudi Arabia's PIF confirms it will end funding of rebel league at the end of the season

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it will end its funding for LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season.In a statement released on Th...

Cadillac Championship: Cameron Young remains leader on PGA Tour as Alex Fitzpatrick shoots up leaderboard

Cadillac Championship: Cameron Young remains leader on PGA Tour as Alex Fitzpatrick shoots up leaderboard

Cameron Young remains the Cadillac Championship leader after two days, having backed up his sensational first-round display with another eye-catching...

LIV Golf: What next for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau? The routes back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour

LIV Golf: What next for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau? The routes back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour

The futures of some of the world's best golfers, including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, have been thrust into uncertainty after Thursday's announce...