The second women’s Major of the year begins at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania on 30 May.
This will be the second time the venue has hosted the tournament after it was the scene of the 2015 edition, when In Gee Chun claimed the first of her three Major titles with a one-shot victory over Amy Yang.
However, while the venue is familiar, the prize money available at the 2024 tournament is markedly different. Nine years ago, Chun banked $810,000 from an overall purse of $4.5m, but this year, there is $12m available - the highest ever for a women’s golf tournament, while the winner will earn $2.4m.
That overall purse beats the previous record, set at the 2023 tournament at Pebble Beach by $1m, where Allisen Corpuz won $2m for her victory.
The prize money is also $4.1m higher than the $7.9m offered by the first Major of the year, the Chevron Championship, which earned winner Nelly Korda $1.185m.
Nelly Korda won over $1m for her win at the first Major of the year, the Chevron Championship
The latest increase in the prize money at the women’s game’s marquee Major is partly credited with a partnership announced in February between the USGA, which organizes the event, and Ally Financial.
At the time, USGA CEO Mike Whan explained how he sees the link-up helping to develop the women’s game. He said: “Partnering with Ally allows us to not only continue elevating the US Women’s Open, but to also further our commitment to the future of the game via our US National Development Program.”
The eye-catching payout is surely one of the biggest headline grabbers, though, particularly when compared to previous years.
Reaching new heights 📈 With our new partner @ally, we will pay out record prize money at Lancaster. pic.twitter.com/2sDwbeJ73nFebruary 1, 2024
For example, it is three times higher than the $4m on offer in 2014, when Michelle Wie claimed her sole Major title at Pinehurst No.2, while it is more than double the $5.5m purse of just three years ago, when Yuka Saso defeated Nasa Hataoka at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
The women's game may still have some way to go to achieve financial parity with the men's game, but the figure available at Lancaster Country Club is surely one of the most impressive examples yet of its growing profile.
-
TGL Week 2 Live Updates: Tiger Woods Makes Debut As Jupiter Links GC Trail Los Angeles GC 5-1Tiger Woods' side make their TGL debut, as Jupiter Links GC play Los Angeles GC in the second week of action
-
How Much Are TGL Tickets?Interest in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL has been significant early on, with the first few weeks of action completely sold out...
-
'I Said YES' - Lexi Thompson Announces EngagementJust over a month after ending her full-time career, Lexi Thompson has announced she got engaged on a New Year's trip to Whistler
-
'It Was The Stand-Out Tournament From Start To Finish' - Which Golf Event Was The Best This Year?There have been hundreds of tournaments played throughout 2024 and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team nominate their most entertaining events from the season
-
'It Was The Out-And-Out Shock Of The Year' - Which Moment In Golf Stood Out Above All Else?2024 has been a year of huge shocks on and off the golf course and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team have discussed which particular moment stood out to them
-
'The Hardest Category To Judge' - Who Recorded Golf's Round Of The Year?We've been treated to some excellent rounds in 2024 and, below, the Golf Monthly team have given their thoughts on which one they think was the best
-
The 12 Most Underrated Golf Seasons Of 2024Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda dominated men's and women's golf in 2024, but there were plenty of players who saw fine seasons go under the radar - we look at the pick of the bunch
-
10 Predictions Ahead Of The 2025 Golf SeasonWhat does the 2025 golfing calendar hold? As the new season gears up to its start, five Golf Monthly members lay out their predictions for the next 12 months
-
Who Showed 'A Will To Keep Fighting Through The Dark Times' In Golf's Comeback Of The Year?Golf has the capability to throw up some incredible comeback stories and, in 2024, we have seen a number of them throughout
-
'There Could Have Been Another 10 Nominees' - But Who Stood Out As Golf's Amateur Of The Year?There have been plenty of incredible amateur performances in 2024 and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team debate who deserves the Amateur of the Year accolade
