The $13 Million Number That Tells You Everything About Women's Golf's Wild Ride
Alright, Seattle fam, you ready for some wild news from the golf world? Because the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, kicking off this week out in Chaska, Minnesota, just dropped a bomb before anyone even teed off! On Monday, KPMG announced they’re jacking up the purse for this LPGA Tour major to a mind-blowing $13 million. Yeah, you heard that right, thirteen million dollars, making it the biggest purse in women’s golf history. This isn't just a bump, this is a statement, and it's got everyone buzzing!
The Money Talks, And It's Yelling
Can you believe how far this has come? Just last year, the purse was already a respectable $12 million. But rewind to 2020? It was $4.3 million. And when KPMG first jumped on board 12 years ago, we’re talking a cool $2 million. Now, it's $13 million! That's almost a 500 percent increase since they started backing these incredible athletes. Tim Walsh, KPMG’s U.S. chair and CEO, wasn’t shy about it. He told Golf Digest it was "such an easy decision to lean into a record-breaking purse." LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler said his phone was blowing up after the announcement, and honestly, can you blame him?
Trade on Every Game with Kalshi
Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.
PGA of America CEO Terry Clark put it best, saying, "This is a championship that we believe has consistently improved every year." And the numbers back it up big time. The LPGA reports that since 2016, official prize money has more than doubled, and major championship prize money has more than tripled! Ten years ago, the total season prize money was $63 million, with $16.85 million for the five majors. Fast forward to today? We're looking at a staggering $134.45 million for all events and $52.6 million just for the majors. That's a 113 percent growth for non-majors and a whopping 212 percent for majors! KPMG’s Walsh noted this commitment elevates their brand through media, broadcast, and client experiences. It’s a win-win, baby!
Tech Upgrades and Fan Power
But it's not just about the cash, though that’s definitely grabbing headlines. This year's KPMG Women’s PGA is going all out on the tech and coverage too. We're talking about 100 hours of broadcast coverage across NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock. They’re even doubling the number of featured groups from last year, and we'll get more caddies mic'd up, which is awesome for getting that real-time, on-course feel. On top of that, there's going to be AI-powered player reels and analytics for the athletes after their rounds. And for us watching at home? Get ready for an AI-powered live outcome prediction engine to keep us on the edge of our seats. This tournament is seriously pushing the envelope!
Nelly's Hot Streak and History in the Making
So, with all this momentum, is the golf world ready for it? You better believe it! World No. 1 Nelly Korda is on an absolute tear, already winning the season's first two majors, the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open. Her U.S. Open win earlier this month pulled in an average of 1.3 million viewers for the final round, the second-highest ratings for a women’s event in the past decade! Now, Korda is chasing a third straight major, a career Grand Slam, and possibly even securing her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame. Contrast that with last year's Women’s PGA at PGA Frisco, which got flak from players like Korda and Charley Hull for tough pin placements and slow play, not to mention a record-low 428,000 final round viewers. This year, with a massive purse and a superstar like Korda firing on all cylinders, Hazeltine National is set to deliver an absolute spectacle. You can bet I'll be glued to the screen, cheering on every shot and watching history unfold!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.