The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open showcased unprecedented stakes as golfers competed for a record-breaking prize pool, highlighting the tournament’s growing prestige. This year’s event, organized by the USGA, featured a total purse of $12 million, marking the second year in a row the prize money remained at this historic level.
USGA’s Commitment to Advancing Women’s Golf
The USGA has significantly boosted the U.S. Women’s Open purse over recent years, growing from just $5.5 million four years ago to $12 million today. USGA CEO Mike Whan reflected on this milestone, saying,
If you think about firsts, we like to kind of bring firsts… First to get to a $3 million purse, $5 million purse, $10 million purse, $12 million purse.
The USGA’s dedication is mirrored by a substantial increase across the LPGA Tour, which now offers $130 million in total prize money for 2025, compared to $88.9 million in 2022.
Maja Stark’s Historic Victory and Increased Winner’s Share
Maja Stark emerged as the champion, taking home $2.4 million, the largest single prize in the event’s history, and becoming the sixth Swedish woman to win a major title. This amount represents 20% of the overall purse, an increase from the previous years’ 18%, reflecting the new standards set by the USGA for rewarding champions in women’s golf.
Support for All Participants and Growing Opportunities
Even players who did not make the cut received a substantial consolation prize of $10,000, significantly higher than in past tournaments. CEO Mike Whan emphasized the importance of participation and achievement at this level, stating,
As I have said every year, we really believe that getting into this field is making the cut.
Significance of Growth in Women’s Golf Prize Money
The increase in prize money at the U.S. Women’s Open traces back to the event’s beginnings, when the total purse was less than $10,000 in 1965. The evolution to a multi-million dollar event illustrates a strong commitment to recognizing and celebrating the talent and dedication in women’s golf.
As the sport continues to grow globally, the record-setting prize at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open underscores the ongoing pursuit of excellence and equity in women’s professional golf, setting a high standard for future competitions.