The R&A has announced that the official prize pool for the 2026 AIG Women’s Open will rise once again, marking the sixth year in a row that the tournament’s financial rewards have been increased. This year’s competition will be staged at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in July, where the world’s elite women golfers will vie for a share of a $10 million (£7.43 million) purse. In addition to the prize‑money boost, Mark Darbon, the chief executive of the R&A, disclosed the venues for the next two editions of the championship. The 2027 AIG Women’s Open will be held at Royal St George’s, while the 2028 tournament will travel to the Old Course at Sunningdale.
Darbon highlighted Sunningdale’s reputation, saying, “We know Sunningdale will provide an outstanding venue in two years’ time.” He added that this will be the fifth occasion the championship returns to Sunningdale and the first since 2008. The current increase adds an extra $250,000 (£185,651) to the 2026 purse, a decision driven by the strong performance and popularity of the 2025 edition. That year, Japanese rising star Miyu Yamashita captured her first major title, edging out Charley Hull and Minami Katsu by two strokes.
Her victory helped demonstrate the growing global appeal of the event and justified further investment in the prize fund. 2026 also marks a milestone for the tournament: the 50th anniversary of the AIG Women’s Open. The inaugural champion, Jenny Lee Smith, lifted the trophy in 1967 when the prize fund was a modest $673.31 (£500). Over the past half‑century the championship has evolved from a modest national competition into one of the most prestigious events on the women’s professional golf calendar, with a prize pool now measured in tens of millions of dollars.
Broadcast coverage will expand significantly for the 2026 championship. Sky Sports will deliver roughly 20 percent more live airtime than in 2025, giving fans a deeper look at the action throughout the week. Early‑round windows will showcase the opening players at Royal Lytham & St Annes, while marquee groups will be featured between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Full‑day coverage will run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day, from July 29 through August 2.
Darbon emphasized the importance of this expanded exposure, stating, “Our broadcast coverage is fundamental to that ambition and with a 20 % increase in live hours compared to 2025, we are setting a new benchmark for women’s golf.” He further noted that the AIG Women’s Open now provides more linear television hours in both the United Kingdom and the United States than any other women’s golf championship, granting unprecedented access to the sport’s top talent. The heightened media presence is part of a broader strategy to grow the tournament’s global audience and reinforce its status as a premier sporting event.
By delivering more comprehensive coverage, the R&A hopes to attract new fans, sponsors, and aspiring players, thereby strengthening the overall ecosystem of women’s golf. Fans who wish to follow the competition can watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports throughout July. The network offers both traditional subscription packages and streaming options with no long‑term contract required, ensuring that viewers can choose the format that best suits their preferences.
Beyond the main tournament, the announcement coincided with a series of other notable golf news items. In the PIF London Championship, Anna Huang secured a victory after Charley Hull’s late double‑bogey, while Hull also posted a course‑record‑breaking round that propelled her into second place. Meanwhile, LIV Golf announced a new lead investor following the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s withdrawal of support, and Frankie Harris recorded a remarkable 59 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Pinnacle Bank Championship before clinching the title in a playoff.
These developments underscore a dynamic period for professional golf, with both men’s and women’s tours experiencing significant financial growth, venue changes, and media expansion. The AIG Women’s Open, in particular, stands out as a flagship event that continues to push the boundaries of prize money, broadcast reach, and historical significance, all while honoring the legacy of pioneers like Jenny Lee Smith and celebrating the achievements of modern champions such as Miyu Yamashita.