The U.S. Women’s Open has just set a new standard for female golf.
The purse has been increased to $10 million for 2022, nearly doubling last year’s purse of $5.5 million, thanks to the inclusion of ProMedica as the championship’s first presenting sponsor. Over the next five years, the purse will be increased to $12 million.
The winner of the USWO in 2022 will be awarded $1.8 million. Only three players on the LPGA earned more than that in 2021, according to USGA CEO Mike Whan.
“The USGA takes pride in hosting championships that not only provide a fantastic stage for the athletes, but also provide something to dream about for future players,” said Whan, CEO, in a statement. “For more than 75 years, the United States Women’s Open has been the tournament that every little girl in the globe has aspired to win. This cooperation with ProMedica enables us to significantly expand the championship in every manner, from its objective to its purse to the locations where it is held. While I’m tremendously happy of what we’re unveiling today, I’m also aware that this is only the beginning, as we’ll work with ProMedica to transform the game and redefine what it means to young women around the world every year.”
The LPGA continues to raise the bar for women’s golf as major tournaments invest more in the LPGA. With a prize money of $5.8 million, the AIG Women’s British Open set a new record for women’s golf last summer. Players will battle for $6.8 million this year, when the event moves to Muirfield for the first time.
In 2022, the winner of the CME Group Tour Championship will take home the greatest prize in women’s golf: $2 million.
The USGA was able to take this next vital step for America’s premier event thanks to the inclusion of a presenting sponsor. The U.S. Women’s Open will be used by ProMedica, a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated health and well-being organization that serves communities in 28 states, to raise funds for its ProMedica Impact Fund, which is now the official charity of the event.
The thrill doesn’t end with the purse, though; where they’re going is equally exciting. Five more venues have been added to an already remarkable list of potential destinations, including Pebble Beach, Merion, and Oakmont.
-Pacific Palisades, California’s Riviera Country Club (2026)
-Toledo, Ohio’s Inverness Club (2027)
-Pinehurst No. 2 in the Pinehurst Village of North Carolina (2029)
-Edina, Minnesota’s Interlachen Country Club (2030)
-Bloomfield Hills, Michigan’s Oakland Hills Country Club (2031 and 2042)
Riviera’s centennial celebrations will include the USWO in 2026.
“We are happy and humbled to have been chosen by the USGA to host this prestigious event featuring the best female golfers in the world,” said Riviera Country Club President Megan Watanabe. “Being able to work with the USGA to showcase a fantastic championship will undoubtedly contribute to the special year we are planned.”
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club will host the 2022 US Women’s Open from June 2 to 5. Pebble Beach Golf Links will host the championship for the first time in 2023.
The USWO will also be held for the first time at Riviera, where Ben Hogan won his first of four US Open Championships in 1948. Inverness has held eight USGA events, including the Solheim Cup in 2021, and will hold its inaugural Women’s Open alongside Oakland Hills.
The USWO will be held for the second time at Pinehurst No. 2. When the men’s and women’s championships were first held back-to-back in 2014, Michelle Wie won the first. In 2029, the same thing will happen.
