The R&A announced today that the prize fund for the upcoming AIG Women’s British Open will increase to US$4,500,000, an increase of almost 40% for 2019, in recognition of the importance of the Championship and women’s golf.

Taking place on the Marquess’ Course at Woburn, 1- 4th August 2019, the AIG Women’s British Open now offers the second highest prize fund of the five Major Championships in the women’s game. The increase comes in the first year of AIG’s partnership as title sponsor and will see the winner take home a first prize of $675,000.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We recognized that more needed to be done to elevate the prize fund for this great championship and are pleased that we have been able to make a significant increase this year as part of The R&A’s commitment to women’s golf.

“This is an important first step and we know it will take time to move closer to achieving parity with the men’s game. We will continue to work toward the long-term goal of a sustainable business model but we can’t do it alone and the support of fans, sponsors and media are all key to achieving that success.”

Defending champion Georgia Hall will head a field rich in the world’s best players for the year’s final Major including nine of the past 10 Champions, among them former Champion Ariya Jutanugarn, who won by three shots at Woburn in 2016.

Following AIG’s recent commitment to a five-year sponsorship through to 2023, excitement is building as the Championship enters a new era. Woburn has hosted the Championship on 10 occasions, the first nine of which were on the Duke’s Course, while the 2016 Ricoh Women’s British Open was played on the Marquess’ Course to great acclaim from the 144-strong field of world-class players.

Forming part of the Woburn Estate, home to the Duke of Bedford, Woburn Golf Club is one of the UK’s premier golf facilities, boasting three world class Championship golf courses and has held many European Tour and Senior Tour events as well as Final Qualifying for The Open.

The Women’s British Open was founded by the LGU in 1976 and is staged in conjunction with IMG, the world’s largest sports marketing company, since 1984. The event has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994 and gained Major status in 2001. The Championship is now owned by The R&A.

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