The 2022 U. S. Women’s Open ended on June 5, Sunday, and the Australian golfer Minjee Lee emerged as the winner. Apart from being one of the major championships, the 2022 US Open also became the most rewarding tournament in the history of women’s golf. Hence, making the Aussie golfer the first to receive the big prize money.
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The USGA declared in January this year that the purse money of the event has increased from $5.5 million to $10 million. The drastic change happened after ProMedica joined as the sponsor. Notably, the next highest purse a major offer is at AIG Women’s Open with $6.8 million.
Being the champion of the second major of the season, Minjee Lee bagged $1.8 million prize money. She scored 67, 66, 67, and 71 from rounds 1 to 4, respectively, and dominated the field throughout the championship. Furthermore, the U.S. Open is Lee’s second major; she won the Evian Championship in 2021.
Notably, Lee became the first Australian to win the event after 21 years since Karrie Webb, another Australian golfer, won it. Interestingly, when Webb won the tournament in 2000, the purse was only $2.7 million. Meanwhile, her winning share was $500,000, less than three times what Lee won this year.
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Here’s the list that shows the evolution of the purse money over the years of the U. S. Women’s Open:
| YEAR | PURSE MONEY | WINNER | WINNER’S SHARE |
| 1947 | $7,500 | Betty Jameson | $1,200 |
| 1965 | $20,000 | Sandra Spuzich | $4,000 |
| 1975 | $55,000 | Sandra Palmer | $8,044 |
| 1978 | $100,000 | Hollis Stacy | $15,000 |
| 1990 | $500,000 | Betsy King | $85,000 |
| 1995 | $1 million | Annika Sorenstam | $175,000 |
| 2000 | $2.75 million | Karrie Webb | $500,000 |
| 2014 | $4 million | Michelle Wie | $720,000 |
| 2017 | $5 million | Sung-Hyun Park | $900,000 |
| 2019 | $5.5 million | Jeongeun Lee6 | $1 million |
| 2022 | $10 million | Minjee Lee | $1.8 million |
Considering the history of the purse money the event has been offering, it is safe to say that the U. S. Open has come a long way.
How did the fans react to the increase in purse money and Minjee Lee winning her second major?
The U. S. Women’s Open is Lee’s second major win. And many, especially her fellow Australians, congratulated her on the win.
US OPEN CHAMPION ⛳️ 🏆 @minjeegolf 🏆 Congratulations 👏 Well deserved 🏌️♀️
An amazing week at Pine Needles, but sorry ladies, Minjee Lee had the uncatchable lead all weekend. And the trophy belongs to her. A thoroughly deserved win.
Last year, when the Women’s U. S. Open only offered $5.5 million, the men’s U. S. Open offered $12.5 million as purse money.
Since its inception, women’s golf has been neglected in terms of giving prize money. The initiative to raise the amount by the USGA was nothing but praiseworthy, and the gold world appreciated this gesture of the USGA and LPGA.
So glad the LPGA is stepping up to bring woman's golf up where it belongs in money and in the better courses to play championships on. Long overdue.
That’s nearly $2.497000.00 aud ……. She deserved it all ……. Great game , wonderful ambassador if ladies golf ⛳️
Well deserved and earned.
What do you think of the initiative of the women’s golf organization to raise the purse money? Do you think all the other events should increase their prize money? Let us know your thoughts about it in the comment section below!
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