Folks, buckle up! This year, the AIG Women's Open isn't just celebrating its 50th birthday; it's also dropping a record-breaking prize fund that's truly impressive. From July 29th to August 2nd, 2026, the venerable Royal Lytham & St Annes will host the event, where a hefty sum of money awaits the winners.
A staggering $10 million is in the pot – that's another $250,000 more than in 2025. This marks the sixth consecutive increase, establishing the event as a true heavyweight in women's golf. For comparison: In 2018, the prize money at the same venue was $3.25 million. What an ascent! Speaking of victory: Miyu Yamashita clinched the title in 2025, finishing two strokes ahead of Charley Hull and Minami Katsu.
Raining Cash and More Airtime
But it's not just about big checks. The broadcast of the thrilling final round is also getting a major boost. A total of 34 hours of live coverage over four days will be available, 20 percent more than the previous year. For us golfers, this means more action, more drama, and more pure passion delivered straight to our living rooms, live on Sky Sports. Now that's a statement that elevates women's golf to a new level! With this investment, The R&A and AIG are demonstrating their serious commitment to globally promoting the sport.
The Future is Female – and Golfing
This move is a clear statement for the sustainable development of women's golf. Mark Darbon, CEO of The R&A, speaks of "consistent and sustainable investments" that are establishing the Championship on the world stage. And Peter Zaffino of AIG emphasizes the importance of increasing prize money and expanding live broadcasts.
The R&A and American International Group announced the @AIGWomensOpen prize fund will increase to $10 million—the sixth straight year the purse has grown. The 2026 AIG Women's Open will also feature expanded TV coverage, including a new early broadcast window for the first two
