This year, the LPGA isn’t the only women’s golf tour with new record purses. This season, the newly re-sponsored Epson Tour, the LPGA’s major feeder circuit, will have 21 tournaments with a total prize pool of $4.41 million.
The average purse per event has increased from $194,000 to $210,000, surpassing the previous high of $4 million (set in 2019).
Mike Nichols, chief business officer of LPGA Qualifying Tours, said, “We’re grateful for tournament partners and host venues who continue to invest in Epson Tour athletes.” “Five years ago, fewer than one out of every five events had a $200,000 prize pool. This figure has now become the official minimum threshold for all events, creating fresh avenues for everyone hoping to play on the LPGA Tour one day.
“The 2017 Epson Tour season will kick from March 4-6 in Winter Haven, Florida, with the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic. The Epson Tour Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, will complete the season on Oct. 6-9, with the top 10 points earners advancing to the LPGA Tour for the second year in a row. These ten graduates will also be given $10,000 to wear the Epson Tour emblem on their sleeves when they begin their LPGA careers this year.
The French Lick Resort Charity Championship, held Aug. 4-7, will have the highest purse for an individual tournament, with a $335,000 purse and a $50,000 prize for the winner. P.K. Kongkraphan, the top earner in 2013, earning $47,283 throughout the course of the season.
“It’s fantastic to watch the Epson Tour continuing to grow since I graduated in 2016,” said Ally Ewing, the LPGA Board’s newest player director. “I made just over $110,000 when purse sizes averaged around $139,000, so a 50 percent increase in such a short time is both encouraging and necessary for these future LPGA Tour players to have a financially realistic path.”
Here’s a look at the 2022 Epson Tour schedule:
New Epson Tour schedule is out! 21 events with nearly $4.5 million in total prize money. pic.twitter.com/EWsHQYbSk2
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) February 8, 2022
