The 2024 US Women’s Open is underway at the historic Lancaster Country Club. The anticipation and excitement among players and fans are growing, after two rounds have already been completed. However, what truly sets this year’s tournament apart is the staggering increase in prize money. Which added intensity to the competition and raised the stakes for all contenders, including notable players like Yuka Saso.

Golf lovers witnessed a thrilling battle for supremacy amidst the likes of World No. 1 Nelly Korda, defending champion Allisen Corpuz, Lexi Thompson, and some other LPGA Tour pros, leaving the stage without entering the weekend showdown. Regardless, notable contenders for this highly coveted title could not make it. Wichanee Meechai, Andrea Lee, and Minjee Lee secured the top 3 spots on the leaderboard after Friday’s play. 

Yuka Saso’s testimony concerning the record prize money 

The prize money for the US Women’s Open has skyrocketed, reflecting the growing stature of the sport. In 2021, the total purse was $5.5 million. Fast-forward to 2024, and it’s doubled to $12 million. That’s not just a bump: it’s a seismic shift, signaling a new era of recognition and respect for women in golf. And the champion’s share? A cool $2.4 million, setting a new standard for elite competition.

In 2021, the USGA awarded an overall prize money payout of $5.5 million at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, with Saso earning one million as payday. She faced Nasa Hataoka in the playoff. Then, after making two pars in the two-hole aggregate playoff, the 22-year-old from the Philippines rolled in an eight-footer for birdie and tied with Inbee Park as the youngest winner in the history of the championship. However, she would be disappointed in how the championship purse has changed in just two years.

In 2020, the AIG Women’s British Open boasted an overall purse of $4.5 million, with the winner taking home $675,000. However, in 2023, it doubled to 9 million USD. Similarly, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has seen a significant increase in its purse, rising to $10 million in 2024, from $4.5 million in 2021, with the winner’s payout also rising to $1.5 million. This witnessed a shift in prize money, with winners now earning multi-million dollar paychecks.

Coming on to the Evian Championship, 2023 featured a purse of $6.5 million, with the winner earning $975,000, compared to $4.5 million and $675,000 respectively in 2021. Lastly, the Chevron Championship in 2023 offered a purse of $7.9 million, with the winner receiving $465,000. This is a notable contrast to its 2021 figures, where the purse was $3.1 million. Well, the prizes have changed a lot since the start of this historic tournament, with increased golfer’s participation.

Prize money evolution: from modest beginnings to staggering height

From its humble beginnings in 1947, when Betty Jameson claimed victory with a purse of $7,500 and a winner’s share of $1,200, to the present day, where we see unprecedented figures like the $11 million purse in 2023, with the winner, Allisen Corpuz, taking home $2 million. This marks growth not only in terms of price but also the echoing significance of women’s golf. 

However, this year’s prize money distribution sets a new benchmark in women’s professional golf. The total prize money on the LPGA Tour has surged to nearly $124 million this year, a substantial rise from $88.9 million since 2022. This upward trend is also reflected in the purses of other women’s majors. The significant increase can be seen on the leaderboards. What are your thoughts on this? Share in the comments section.