Defending champion Nelly Korda and her rival will be chasing a record $9 million purse at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship this week, when organizers on Tuesday announced a doubling of the prize money for the event.
The third female major of the year attempted to repeat her 2021 Women’s PGA win with Korda at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on Thursday.
A successful title defense could see Korda receive a winning check of $1.35 million after a huge increase in prize money announced by the organizers on the eve of the tournament.
PGA of America President Jim Richerson said the decision to double the purse — from $4.5 million to $9 million — was a result of the support of sponsors KPMG and a desire to step up women’s golf.
“We really wanted to make sure we used this event to showcase the best female players in the sport and do so with one of the biggest wallets,” Richerson said.
“We’ve seen that commitment in this announcement today.”
Bumper purses are part of a wider trend throughout women’s golf, where prize money has steadily increased over the past decade at five major championships.
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With the Women’s PGA increase, prize money for the five majors is now $37.3 million, compared to $13.75 million for similar events in 2012.
On Tuesday, reports of increased wallets circulated around Congress after players were informed of the move.
American professional Maria Stackhouse said, “You heard a murmur walking around the clubhouse.”
“Hey, ‘Did you see that email, 9 million’, and everyone’s super, super excited.”
– intensive withdrawal –
This week’s major is meanwhile another opportunity for Korda to leave more of her recent health scare in the rear-view mirror.
The 23-year-old recently returned from a four-month layoff after discovering a blood clot in her left arm.
She missed out on a win at last weekend’s Meijer LPGA Classic, a three-way playoff loss against compatriot Jennifer Kupcho and Ireland’s Leona Maguire.
“I gave myself a chance last week,” Korda said Tuesday.
“If you had told me that while I lay in the ER, I certainly would have been much happier with it.”
Korda says he has followed an intensive training regime since returning to fitness after barely touching the club during a long layoff.
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“That was the longest time I think I’ve ever gone without hitting a golf ball,” Korda said.
“Ever since I started hitting, it’s pretty much full throttle, and I’ve been practicing quite a bit.
“I have not taken more than two or three days off since then. I’m happy to play competitive golf here.”
Korda will play in a group with Canada’s Brooke Henderson, the winner of the Women’s PGA in 2016, when it was held at Sahley Country Club, east of Seattle.
Henderson has an excellent record in the women’s PGA, posting five top-10 finishes in her seven appearances in the major.
“The excitement of being back and playing this amazing championship on an incredible golf course and the excitement of this championship raising the bar for women’s golf is really good for me,” Henderson said on Tuesday.
“I think I just made a lot of great memories and hopefully I can do the same this week.”
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