The open prize money of the ladies of British Open increased by 40%

Georgia Hall won the first major championship of her career during the British Open in 2018

The prize money for August & # 39; s Women & # 39; s British Open will increase by 40% to $ 4.5 million (£ 3.6) million), the R & A & # 39; s have announced.

The winner receives $ 675,000 (£ 540,000), an increase of $ 490,000 (£ 392,000) won by Georgia Hall in 2018.

In the Men's Open Championship, which takes place later this month at Royal Portrush, the stock market is $ 10.75m (£ 8.56m) and the winner will claim $ 1.89m (£ 1.51m).

"This is an important first step," said R&A chief Martin Slumbers

"We know it will take time to get closer to parity with the men's competition.

"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 crucial to achieving that success. "

takes place at the Marquess & # 39; Course in Woburn, Bedfordshir From August 1-4, the Women & # 39; s British Open now offers the second highest prize fund of the five major women's golf championships.

The movement comes as the football-related body Fifa is confronted with criticism for the inequality in prize money between the men's and women's World Cup tournaments.

Prize money for the Women's World Cup 2019 was $ 30m (£ 24m) compared to the $ 400m (£ 320m) divided by the teams at the men's tournament in Russia in 2018.