British Open cash boost for women

British hope that Catriona Matthew, defending champion Georgia Hall and Charley Hull will go after the new prize pool and sponsor announcement for the Women & # 39; s British Open.

The Women & # 39; s British Open has been reinforced with a cut of nearly 40 percent for next month's championship in Woburn.

The 2019 WBO will be worth $ US4.5 million, compared to last year's US 3.25 million, making it the second richest event in the women's game behind the US Women's Open.

The price increase – which comes as AIG's title sponsor in the first year of AIG – brings the winner's check to $ US675,000.

But despite the increase, the WBO will still be played for less than half of the upcoming $ US10.75 million Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said the increase was part of a long-term effort to align the WBO prize money with that of The Open.

"This is an important first step and we know it will take time to get closer to parity with the men's game," Slumbers said.

"We will continue to work towards the long-term goal of a sustainable business model, but we cannot do it alone and the support of fans, sponsors and media are all key to achieving that success."

Other major women's championships have also made progress in prize money growth, but are lagging far behind the purses of the corresponding men's events.

The 2019 Women & # 39; s US Open was played for $ US5.5 million compared to the $ US12.5 million offered for the men at Pebble Beach last month.

The recent KPMG Women & # 39; s PGA – won by Perth & # 39; s Hannah Green – was played for $ US3.85 million while the US PGA Championship was played in May for $ US11 million.

The WBO was founded by the LGU in 1976 and was staged in collaboration with IMG, & # 39; the world's largest sports marketing company since 1984. The event has been coordinated by the LPGA and LET since 1994 and achieved significant championship status in 2001. It is now owned by R & A.