BREAKING – The Amundi Evian Championships has increased its prize money to $8 million, confirming its ambition to grow the women’s sport.
Since its creation in 1994, the Amundi Evian Championship, the only men’s and women’s major tournament on the European continent, has always had the goal of promoting women in sport and supporting the development towards gender equality. This goal has long been the direction the tournament has been heading in in terms of prize money, with the support of its sponsoring clubs, which include Amundi, Rolex, Danone and Evian®. It is an initiative shared by all major women’s tournaments around the world and which the LPGA has supported for several years.
“This announcement by Amundi and Evian represents our continued commitment and passion to developing the best professional golfers in the world through this championship,” said LPGA Commissioner Molly Marcou-Saman. “Since its inception 30 years ago, the Amundi Evian Championship has been a pioneer in promoting women’s golf and women’s sport on the global stage, providing a signature platform for our athletes to inspire generations of young girls. We are grateful for this support from our athletes as this incredible championship continues to grow and deliver the most exciting week in women’s sports to fans around the world, and we can’t wait to tee it off in July.”
“Announcing this significant increase in prize money is a beautiful symbol of the tournament’s 30th anniversary,” said Franck Riboud, president of the Amundi Evian Championship. “Since its inception, our goal has been to develop the women’s sport and provide ever more resources to the champions who represent it. Today, thanks to the support of the LPGA and the Women’s European Tour, the involvement of our loyal sponsoring clubs and international media exposure, the Amundi Evian Championship holds a special place among the major women’s golf events more than ever before. It is a source of great pride for all those who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to this success.”
Prize money has increased by more than 146% since the championship was designated a major in 2013. Prize money has increased by $3.5 million since 2021, and 2022 will be the first year that the winner’s prize money reaches $1 million. In 2024, the majors will award at least $46.9 million, an increase of more than 100% in just three years.
The increase to $8 million would mean the winner’s prize money would be $1.2 million, marking another step towards equality in global sport.