The AIG Women's Open has announced a record prize fund of $10 million for its 2026 edition, marking the sixth consecutive year of increases—even though the tournament remains unprofitable. The championship, set to take place from July 30 to August 2 at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire, will offer a purse of $7.4 million.
This is not the only women's major benefiting from strong sponsorship. The US Women's Open, backed by Ally Financial, offered $12 million last year.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon acknowledged the financial reality: "At the moment it's not profitable. We treat it as an investment into the game, but an absolutely critical investment." He emphasized that the focus is on audience growth to inspire more people worldwide.
Around 50,000 spectators are expected for the 50th Women's Open, and Darbon highlighted increased TV coverage as a key driver for raising the sport's profile. While the $10 million prize fund lags behind the $17 million of last year's men's Open Championship, Darbon noted that the R&A must "think sustainably."
"There is a commercial reality. We're investing collectively, AIG and the R&A, significant sums into the championship, and we want to do that in a responsible way. So we're not in a position to have equal prize funds at the moment, but we will look to continue to elevate our prize fund over time," he said.
Darbon added that if profitability were the priority, cuts could be made, but that is not the aim. "At the moment, profitability is not a principal target for us. We want to deliver brilliant venues and a wonderful experience for the players. We want to have a meaningful and growing prize pot, and we want to deliver a spectator experience both live and through broadcast and digital channels that inspires and excites people."
In addition, Darbon announced that the 2028 Women's Open will be held at Sunningdale's Old Course in Surrey. Unlike the men's Open, the women's event visits inland and links courses. "The Open and Women's Open have their own discrete identities. We don't treat them as one, and therefore we don't treat the venue selection process as one either. We are very focused on taking this event to what we regard as some of the world's very best courses."