"Course Record" Geno Thitikul 64 Strokes...AIG Women's Open Prize Money 10 Million Dollars
The 50th AIG Women's Open with total prize money of 10 million dollars, increased for 6 consecutive years. In Round 1, Thitikul leads alone with 7-under par 64 strokes, and Yoo Hae-ran is tied for 2nd place, 2 strokes behind.
Translated from Korean with AI assistance. Read the original. Sources and original publication dates are retained.
Three-Line Summary
- The 2026 AIG Women's Open total prize money is 10 million dollars, and the championship prize is 1.5 million dollars, the highest in tournament history.
- Geno Thitikul shot 7 birdies with no bogeys to record 7-under par 64 strokes, taking sole lead after Round 1.
- Yoo Hae-ran is tied for 2nd place with 5-under par, 2 strokes behind the lead, in position for a third consecutive major championship.
The 2018 edition of this tournament held on the same course had total prize money of 3.25 million dollars. Eight years later, the same Royal Lytham and St Annes has 10 million dollars. More than 3 times. On the opening day when that number was confirmed and announced, a 24-year-old Thai player recorded the lowest round in tournament history on the course.
AIG Women's Open Prize Money 10 Million Dollars, Championship Prize 1.5 Million Dollars
According to the distribution table confirmed and announced on July 30, the opening day, the 2026 AIG Women's Open total prize money is 10 million dollars; and the championship prize is 1.5 million dollars. This amount follows LPGA's standard distribution rate of 15% of total prize money. R&A and AIG announced on April 28 that along with increased prize money, they will expand broadcast time to a maximum of 34 hours.
When you line up the numbers, you can see the upward trend. 2024: 9.5 million dollars (championship prize: 1.425 million dollars), 2025: 9.75 million dollars (championship prize: 1.4625 million dollars), and 2026: 10 million dollars. It has been increased for 6 consecutive years starting from 2021, and compared to 3.25 million dollars for the 2018 Royal Lytham tournament, it has exceeded 3 times in 8 years. However, the year-over-year increase is only 0.25 million dollars with an increase rate of only 2.6%, so the slope of the curve itself has become gentler.
Women's Major Total Prize Money Ranking: KPMG 13 Million Dollars, U.S. Open 12.5 Million Dollars, AIG 10 Million Dollars
Here's a helpful breakdown to keep on hand. The 2026 women's golf 5 major tournaments' total prize money is: KPMG Women's PGA Championship 13 million dollars; U.S. Women's Open 12.5 million dollars, AIG Women's Open 10 million dollars, Amundi Evian Championship 9.1 million dollars, Chevron Championship 9 million dollars respectively (as of July 31, 2026, based on official announcements per tournament and Golf Channel compilation). AIG has entered the 8-figure dollar range but ranks 3rd.
The gap is not small. The difference between 1st place KPMG and AIG is 3 million dollars, which equals 1/3 of Chevron's total prize money. Nellie Korda, who won the U.S. Women's Open, received 2.5 million dollars, 1 million dollars more than the 1.5 million dollars the AIG champion will receive. Even with the same major title, the champion's prize check differs starting from the distribution rate (20% and 15%). The 2026 LPGA tour total prize money is 132 million dollars or more across 33 tournaments, the highest in tour history.
Thitikul 64 Strokes Course Record; Yoo Hae-ran Tied 2nd, 2 Strokes Behind
In Round 1 on July 30, Geno Thitikul shot 7 birdies with no bogeys,7-under par 64 strokes. It is the lowest round record in AIG Women's Open history held at Royal Lytham and St Annes. After the round, Thitikul said, "When entering major week, I don't expect to win. The only thing I can control is beating the course every day, and that creates a good opportunity to get on the leaderboard." He, who still doesn't have a major title, also said, "It will come one day."
In the 2nd place group is a player who won the previous two majors consecutively. Yoo Hae-ran shot 5-under par with 6 birdies and 1 bogey, tying for 2nd place with Kuwaki Shiho (Japan). 2 strokes behind the lead, in position for 3 consecutive major wins. Lottie Ward, supported by the home gallery, shot 2-under par 69 with no bogeys. Charlie Hull mixed 6 birdies and 4 bogeys, finishing 5 strokes behind the lead. The Rolex World Golf Ranking (as of July 27) is: Nellie Korda 1st (14.11 points), Thitikul 2nd (10.27 points), Yoo Hae-ran 3rd (8.27 points), Kim Hyo-joo 4th, Ward 5th, Miyu Yamashita 6th, Hull 7th.
Miyu Yamashita Prize Money: 2025 1.46 Million Dollars, 2026 Season 1.94 Million Dollars
The defending champion is Miyu Yamashita (24). A Japanese player born in August 2001, she turned professional in January 2020 as part of JLPGA 92nd cohort and became money leader for 2 consecutive years in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, she became the youngest money leader in JLPGA history. In her debut year on the LPGA tour in 2025, she recorded her first victory at the AIG Women's Open. She is the 3rd Japanese champion in tournament history following Okamoto Ayako and Shibuno Hinako. 13 total wins on JLPGA, 3 total wins on LPGA. She also received the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award in the same year.
In terms of money, here's the breakdown. The prize money she received for her 2025 victory is 1.4625 million dollars; 15% of that year's total prize money of 9.75 million dollars. Her 2026 season prize money is 1.94292 million dollars as of July 29, ranking 5th on LPGA prize money ranking. LPGA career official prize money is approximately 5.5 million dollars as of July 2026 (based on LPGA official profile, updated regularly). She has been contracted as a professional under Japanese Kao from February 2025. 2024 tournament champion Lydia Ko (29) received 1.425 million dollars and has recorded 22.234902 million dollars in LPGA career prize money with 23 career wins including 3 major wins.
Prize Money Inflation Structure: Total Amount 3x, Distribution Rate Fixed at 15%
The total amount tripled in 8 years, but the distribution structure remained the same. 2024 championship prize 1.425 million dollars, 2025 1.4625 million dollars, 2026 1.5 million dollars are all exactly 15% of that year's total prize money. Prize money inflation is happening only in the pie size, and the way it's divided means using the same knife for 8 years. Mark Daborn R&A Chief Executive said, "Steady and sustainable investment in prize money demonstrates R&A and AIG's commitment," announced, and Peter Zaffino, AIG Chairman and CEO, said the tournament "reflects our commitment to advancing women in business, sports, and society." LPGA announced the 2026 schedule and that further prize money increases are expected.
This tournament is the 50th anniversary edition and the final major championship of the 2026 women's season. Despite the symbolism of being the 50th anniversary edition, its prize money ranking is 3rd. LPGA announced in the 2026 schedule announcement that further increases are expected, but the next increase amount and timing have not been announced yet. As the tournament is currently ongoing as of 10 AM (Korea time) on July 31, 2026, the final standings and player prize distributions have not been finalized.
Round 2 is in progress from the local morning on Friday, July 31, and from afternoon Korea time onwards. Yoo Hae-ran played in the same group with Nellie Korda and Lydia Ko. The tournament ends with the final round on August 2, and then the recipient of 1.5 million dollars will be determined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much is the AIG Women's Open prize money?
The 2026 total prize money is 10 million dollars, and the championship prize is 1.5 million dollars. It is the highest in tournament history, an increase of 0.25 million dollars from the 2025 total prize money of 9.75 million dollars.
Q. What are Miyu Yamashita's age and career prize money?
She was born on August 2, 2001, and is 24 years old. LPGA career official prize money is approximately 5.5 million dollars as of July 2026, and 2026 season prize money is 1.94292 million dollars as of July 29, ranking 5th in prize money ranking.
Q. Which 2026 women's golf major has the most total prize money?
It is the KPMG Women's PGA Championship with 13 million dollars. The U.S. Women's Open with 12.5 million dollars and the AIG Women's Open with 10 million dollars follow.
Related Official Sites
- AIG Women's Open Official Website — Tournament Schedule and Prize Money Announcement Original Text
- The R&A AIG Women's Open Tournament Page — Historical Records and Course Information
- LPGA AIG Women's Open Results Page — Round-by-Round Results and Prize Distribution Table
- Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings — Weekly World Ranking Raw Data
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Welt Editor