Despite a Historic $1,700,000 Jump at the Women’s British Open, LPGA Pro Delivers a Harsh Reality Check: ‘Absolutely Ridiculous’

It’s been more than a century since first-wave feminism came into action and the formal fight for women’s rights began. But there are still instances of disparity in many sectors. One such segment of the 21st century that sees inequality is golf.

The LPGA Tour bagged several laurels of achievements in viewership and reached feats of accomplishment in several broadcasting channels. Despite all these, the LPGA Tour pro, who is currently playing in the $9 million event, the AIG Women’s Open, sheds light on a top-priority affair relating to women’s empowerment. 

LPGA pro unleashes her discrepancy frustration

35-year-old golfer, Mel Reid, takes her stand on the matter of monetary variability between the men’s golf tour and women’s golf tour. She is unsure whether women’s golf will ever get pay equity since a huge influx of money is invested in the men’s tournaments. Even though AIG has confirmed to sponsor the Women’s Open Championship with $9 million this year (last year it was $7.3 million), and guaranteed gender pay equity, Reid thinks this is way off target considering the expenditures in the men’s games.

Thus, in an interview, she said, “I think we’ve got still a way to go but it’s cool that sponsors are giving us the respect that we deserve and putting their money where their mouth is I guess.” 

Read More: At the Dawn of the AIG Women’s Open, LPGA Witnesses a Record-Breaking Update, Leveling Their Field With the PGA Tour

She also added, “The men’s game has gone absolutely ridiculous. Catching up with them is going to be a heavy feat. I don’t know if it will ever happen, but when I first played the British Open to now, it’s astronomically different. It’s obviously great now for the girls to be able to come out and make a decent living.” The difference between men’s and women’s golf still prevails, though women have come a long way. 

LPGA viewership keeps spiking drastically, with July being the most-watched month

The LPGA Tour has yet another accolade to flaunt as it rejoices in record television ratings. And July is the most watched month in the LPGA Tour’s history. The 2023 LPGA US Women’s Open held at the iconic Pebble Beach might have big names missing for the tournament, but it recorded 1 million viewers on NBC in the third and last rounds, respectively

Even the less heralded LPGA event, the Dana Open on CBS, hit 1 million viewers in the final round. Thus, the LPGA had three days to celebrate their new achievement. And in the entire month of July 2023, viewership averaged 6 lakhs. 

What do you think of this monetary disparity? Let us know in the comments below. 

Watch This Story:Despite her delayed portrayal of viral trend, Paige Spiranac shocked fans with her jaw-dropping update